Skokie Asylum Attorney

Helping You Protect Your Loved Ones from Harmful Conditions

Every year, people come to the United States to seek protection because of persecution or fear of future harm due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In this context, persecution means to harass, punish, injure, oppress, or cause someone to suffer physical or psychological harm. If your loved ones need asylum, let the immigration lawyer at Gambacorta Law assist. We have handled thousands of cases and guide clients through these legal challenges.

Our Skokie office serves individuals and families throughout the northern suburbs of Chicago, providing guidance rooted in a strong understanding of local immigration courts and procedures. Navigating the process alone can feel overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with the system. Our legal team supports clients from diverse backgrounds and offers services in several languages to make the process as smooth as possible.

Contact Gambacorta Law online for a free consultation with a dedicated Skokie asylum attorney.

When Is Asylum Granted?

U.S. immigration law does not list exact examples of which kinds of persecution qualify for asylum or refugee status, but certain circumstances have led to approval in the past.

Asylum status may be granted when a foreign government has:

• Imprisoned and tortured political dissidents or supposed undesirables
• Fired on protesters
• Committed genocide against a certain race
• Excluded members of a certain religion from political participation

These circumstances also include threats, violence, unlawful imprisonment, torture, or denial of basic human rights.

Applying for asylum in Skokie often involves working with the Chicago Asylum Office or the Chicago Immigration Court, depending on whether your case proceeds through the affirmative or defensive asylum process. While the legal standards remain the same, your approach may depend on your situation and where you are in your proceedings. An asylum attorney in Skokie with experience in local procedures can help you prepare your application and supporting documents the right way.

Steps to Apply for Asylum in the United States

Initial Steps for Your Asylum Application

To apply for asylum in the U.S., applicants may ask for asylum at the port of entry, such as an airport, seaport, or border crossing. They can also file Form I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal at the appropriate service center within a year of arriving in the U.S. Regardless of immigration status, a person can apply for asylum.

Asylum seekers in Skokie often travel to the Chicago Asylum Office for interviews or initial hearings. The timeline can shift, depending on the number of pending cases in the Chicago area. We offer practical support to help clients gather documents and prepare for each step, guiding them about deadlines that impact eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria for Asylum Seekers

An immigration judge or asylum officer decides whether an applicant qualifies for asylum. A refugee is defined as someone who cannot or will not return to their country of origin—or the country where they last lived—because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Applicants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs sometimes encounter delays due to high case volume. Careful case preparation helps minimize these setbacks and ensures every supporting document receives proper review. Our team informs clients about current timelines and developments in local immigration policies affecting asylum applicants.

Ineligibility criteria for asylum include the applicant:

• Was convicted of a serious crime
• Committed nonpolitical crimes outside the U.S.
• Poses a threat to the safety of the U.S. and its citizens
• Resettled in another country before seeking refuge in the U.S.
• Participated in or ordered the persecution of others
• Engaged in terrorist activities
• Is considered a representative of a foreign terrorist organization

Understanding the Asylum Application Process

Detailed Asylum Application Procedures

The first step in applying is to complete the correct paperwork. Gambacorta Law helps you determine which applications fit your situation and how to plan the next step.

From our Skokie office, we guide clients through choosing between affirmative or defensive asylum. That choice depends on whether you have received a notice to appear in immigration court. Our staff provides information in several languages so every client can share their evidence and concerns clearly. Each situation is different. We are available for questions and help clients prepare thorough applications for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the appropriate court.

The process for applying depends on the applicant’s circumstance.

• Applying for asylum for the first time, and have not been subject to removal proceedings: File Form I-589 at the service center with jurisdiction over your residence.
• If you were denied asylum by the INS or USCIS or previously included in a spouse’s or parent’s application but no longer qualify as a derivative: File Form I-589 with the appropriate asylum officer over your residence, and include a letter stating the denial and that the applicant now is applying independently. Reference the application in which you were a dependent.
• If you are currently in removal proceedings: File Form I-589 with the immigration court with jurisdiction over your residence.
• Certain crewmembers, stowaways, or people who entered the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program: File Form I-589 with the district director who has jurisdiction over your residence.

Timelines for Filing Asylum Applications

You must apply for asylum within one year of your most recent arrival in the United States. You may apply after one year only if changed circumstances affect eligibility, or if special circumstances directly explain why you missed the deadline.

Applicants in Skokie should know the typical timelines handled by the Chicago area immigration court and asylum office. We keep up to date on shifts in application backlogs or scheduling delays and provide timely updates to our clients. Submitting documents on time and monitoring deadlines helps preserve eligibility. We help clients understand what types of circumstances may qualify as changed or extraordinary situations with local adjudicators.

Changed circumstances include:

• Changes in the applicant’s country of origin, or if stateless, changes in the last country of residence
• Changes in an applicant’s situation that impact eligibility for asylum, such as changes in U.S. law or conduct outside the country of feared persecution
• The loss of a spousal or parent-child relationship to the main applicant, through death, divorce, or reaching age 21, for those previously included as dependents

You cannot apply for asylum if an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals previously denied your claim, unless your circumstances have changed in a way that affects eligibility. You also may be barred if you could be removed to a safe third country under an agreement.

Extraordinary circumstances can include:

• Serious illness, mental or physical disability during the first year after arrival
• Legal disability during the one-year period after arrival
• Ineffective assistance of counsel
• Maintaining Temporary Protected Status, lawful immigrant or non-immigrant status, or parole until close to the asylum application deadline
• Filing an asylum application before the one-year deadline that was rejected as not properly filed
• Death or serious illness or incapacity of your legal representative or a close family member

Common Mistakes When Filing for Asylum in Skokie

Many applicants unintentionally hurt their cases by making mistakes during the asylum process. In Skokie, missing deadlines is a common issue, especially with local court backlogs or possible mail delays. Filing after the one-year deadline without sufficient justification can result in denial. Others provide incomplete documentation or overlook details that strengthen their claim. Inconsistent statements during interviews with officers at the Chicago Asylum Office may raise questions about credibility and make approval more difficult. Failing to keep information up to date or giving details that do not match written documents may significantly delay a decision.

Receiving outdated advice or guidance from unqualified sources creates risk, particularly when timelines and procedures change in the Chicago immigration system. Gambacorta Law provides each client with clear communication to ensure all documents are complete and submitted properly. We encourage clients to keep copies of their records and to notify us about any important changes right away. Avoiding these missteps helps applicants move forward with greater confidence and gives them a stronger chance at a successful result in Skokie or at any immigration hearing in Cook County. Connect with a seasoned Skokie asylum lawyer for experienced guidance.

Our qualified asylum attorney is here to assist you. Call (847) 443-9303 to schedule your initial consultation without delay.

Post-Asylum Application Outcomes

Understanding the Asylum Decision Process

When you submit an asylum application, an officer will evaluate the information provided and your testimony.

Applicants in Skokie should know that most asylum decisions for local residents occur at the Chicago Asylum Office or in downtown immigration court. After an interview or hearing, a decision may be granted at the meeting or sent later, depending on the case's complexity and the number of applications. an asylum attorney in Skokie from our firm can explain what to expect at each step and helps you prepare for interviews with clear, step-by-step information so you know how to respond to questions from officials.

If granted asylum, you receive asylee status, along with a I-94 Arrival and Departure record documenting that privilege. Asylees may request derivative asylum for a spouse and children under 21 years old.

Benefits of asylee status include:

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• Unrestricted Social Security card
• Cash and medical assistance
• Employment assistance
• Refugee travel document
• Option to apply for permanent residence (green card)

Employment Rights for Asylum Seekers

Applicants for asylum cannot apply for employment authorization or permission to work in the U.S. at the same time as submitting an asylum application.

When you file your asylum application through the Chicago immigration office, you may seek work authorization after 150 days have passed. We share information about hiring resources for asylees in Cook County and help clients understand the steps to obtain an Employment Authorization Document. This way, clients can begin supporting themselves and their families as soon as possible.

To apply for work authorization, 150 days must have passed since you filed a complete asylum application, not counting delays you requested, such as for rescheduling. You also must not have received any notice of a final decision during that time.

Those who are granted asylum may work immediately. Some asylees get an Employment Authorization Document for convenience or identification, but it is not required if you have asylum status.

Community and Language Support for Skokie Asylum Seekers

Skokie is home to many cultures, and residents often prefer to speak in their own language when handling legal matters. At Gambacorta Law, our multilingual staff offer consultations in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, and Tagalog. This support lets applicants share their stories accurately and reduces misunderstandings with local immigration officials. By eliminating language barriers, we help ensure that clients feel heard and that essential details are included. We also connect clients with local resources and nonprofit groups in Cook County for housing, employment, and other needs during the legal process.

Every person seeking asylum brings a unique history, so we build trust through careful listening and clear explanations. The experience of asylum lawyer from our firm and our commitment to Skokie’s diverse neighborhoods set us apart. We meet clients where they are—linguistically, culturally, and geographically—to improve their experience and outcomes during the asylum process.

Connect with an experienced asylum lawyer in Skokie without delay. Submit an online form to get started.