Asylum provides humanitarian relief for individuals who have suffered or fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Asylum can be requested through these primary pathways:

• Affirmative Asylum: For individuals who are not in removal proceedings, this process involves filing an application with USCIS and attending an interview to demonstrate eligibility.
• Merit Interview: For individuals who have undergone expedited removal but have been found to have a credible fear of persecution or torture. After a positive credible fear interview, applicants may proceed with a merit interview with USCIS.
• Defensive Asylum: For individuals who have already been placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge, defensive asylum is requested as a defense against deportation.