If you're one of the many people afflicted by war and hardship, you may consider seeking asylum in the U-S. To be considered for asylum, you must meet four requirements. First, you must fear persecution. Persecution is defined as harm or suffering inflicted as punishment for possessing a belief or characteristic that the persecutor won't tolerate. Second, your fear of persecution must be well founded. This means a reasonable fear, rather than one based on the probability of persecution. Third, you must be persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Finally, you must be subject to the exercise of discretion of the court if you are presenting the matter before an immigration judge. This means the court will weigh positive and negative factors. Make sure to point out factors in your favor such as stable employment, family in the U-S, and lack of a criminal record. Regulations state that you'll be denied asylum if you've been convicted of a 'particularly serious' crime. An attorney specializing in immigration law can give you more information about seeking asylum in the U-S.
