During times of extreme violence, political instability and poverty around the world, people seek refuge in the United States. They may be seeking protection from persecution or danger based on their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion, among other things. They also may be fleeing gang activity, war, severe economic hardship, natural disasters or other life-threatening circumstances.

Those who qualify for asylum are protected from deportation to their home country. They are able to live and work in the U.S. and, if eligible, can petition for immediate family members to join them in the country. While the right to asylum has roots in ancient times, today’s asylum laws are primarily created by Congress and enforced through executive agencies. As a result, policies can change rapidly from one presidential administration to the next. Such changes can affect individuals by making them ineligible for asylum or make their cases more difficult to win.

To be granted asylum, an individual must demonstrate both an objective and subjective fear of persecution. Generally, individuals must show that they will be persecuted on the basis of one of five protected categories: race, religion, nationality, membership in

However, there are some situations where two or more of these criteria apply. For example, a gay man who was beaten by police and threatened with ritual sacrifice in his country of origin could have both a social group and political opinion asylum case.