In asylum determination, five grounds are considered: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and political opinion. To qualify for asylum, an applicant must complete an I-589 Application for Asylum and submit a supplemental statement that forms the basis for the requested relief.
To determine if you are eligible for Asylum, USCIS will evaluate whether you meet the definition of a refugee. Eligibility for asylum requires that:
- You are present in the United States
- You are unable or unwilling to return to your home country due to past persecution or fear of persecution if you return.
- The reason for persecution is related to one of the five grounds mentioned above.
In asylum cases, the psychologist aims to determine the extent and severity of your trauma and evaluate if you continue to suffer from psychological symptoms after you enter the United States. Long-term psychological effects of your trauma and its consequences are also highlighted during the evaluation.