Asylum & Humanitarian Cases

Asylum, U Visas, T Visas and Other Humanitarian Protection

If you have been harmed, threatened, trafficked or abused, you may have options to stay safely in the United States. Attorney Kasim Hussain works with people who are seeking asylum, U visas, T visas, VAWA protection and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

These cases ask you to share painful parts of your life. As a result, we try to listen carefully, move at a pace that respects your situation while keeping filing deadlines in view, and explain your choices in plain language. Our office is in Riverdale, MD, near Washington, DC, and because immigration law is federal, we can also help clients nationwide. Attorney Kasim Hussain is licensed in Maryland and admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Federal court cases outside Maryland may involve local counsel.

Who Qualifies for Asylum and Humanitarian Protection?

Each form of protection has its own requirements.

• Asylum is for people who have been persecuted, or fear persecution, in their home country for certain protected reasons, such as religion or political opinion.
• U visas are for victims of certain qualifying crimes who suffered substantial harm and have helped, or are likely to help, law enforcement.
• T visas are for survivors of human trafficking.
• VAWA self-petitions are for certain spouses, children and parents, of any gender, who have been abused by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult son or daughter.
• Other options, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), may be available depending on your country or age.

Many people qualify for more than one option. However, some options close if they are not pursued in time, so it often helps to speak with a lawyer early.

How Does the Asylum or Humanitarian Process Generally Work?

1. Consultation and review. In a consultation, we can listen to your story and discuss the immigration history you share.
2. Strategy. We work with you to decide which protection to pursue and where your case belongs.
3. Building your case. If you retain us, we can prepare your application and help you tell your story clearly.
4. Interview or hearing. If you retain us, we can help you prepare and, where our engagement includes it, appear with you at your interview or hearing.
5. Decision and next steps. We can explain the outcome and what may come after.

Why Work With a U Visa, T Visa or Asylum Lawyer?

Eligibility often turns on details that may not seem important to you, and small mistakes can have lasting consequences.

• Hidden issues. Prior entries, past removal orders, arrests, earlier applications and statements made at the border can affect which options remain open.
• Strict deadlines. Some protections must be requested within a limited time, and missing a deadline can close a door for good.
• Credibility. Officers and judges look closely at everything you have said and written. A case can be denied even when the danger is real if the record is incomplete or inconsistent.
• Travel. Leaving the United States while your case is pending can seriously harm, or even end, your application.
• Changing rules. Policies and work permit rules in this area change often, so it is important to check the rules that apply at the time you file.

If you retain us, we can handle strategy, preparation, evidence gathering and communication with the government within the scope of our engagement. If you already have a pending case and want a second opinion, a case review may be a helpful first step. Additionally, if your application has been waiting for an unusually long time, a writ of mandamus may be an option to discuss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is what I tell you kept confidential?

Generally, yes. Our professional rules require us to keep information about your case confidential, including what you share in a consultation, subject to limited exceptions. Information included in an application you file will be seen by the government.

I have been in the U.S. for a long time. Is it too late to apply?

Not necessarily. Some options have time limits and others do not. It depends on your history, which we can discuss in a consultation.

Can I work while my asylum or U visa case is pending?

Often, but it depends on the type of case and the current rules. In a consultation, we can discuss what may apply to you.

Will I have to tell my story again?

Usually, yes. We are available to help you prepare in advance so the process feels less overwhelming.

Do I need to live in Maryland to work with you?

No. Immigration law is federal, so a Maryland immigration attorney can often help clients in other states. Some court hearings may still require attention to local procedures.

Can I apply for more than one type of protection?

Sometimes. Many people qualify for more than one option, and we can help you understand how they may fit together.

Questions About Asylum or Humanitarian Protection?

If you have questions about asylum, a U visa, T visa, VAWA or TPS case, you can schedule a free 15-minute introductory call by phone or online. A 60-minute in-person consultation is also available for $300 at our Riverdale, MD office near Washington, DC.

On the introductory call, we can listen to what you are looking for and explain how a consultation works. In a paid consultation, we can discuss your options in more depth. You can also call or text 301-830-4000 or reach us through our contact page. Please do not send detailed or sensitive information through the contact form before we have spoken.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Reading this page, contacting us, or booking a free call does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until we have spoken. We represent clients only after a signed engagement agreement.