Can I apply for asylum if I have a criminal record?
Yes, you can apply for asylum in Washington even if you have a criminal record. However, depending on the crime, it is possible that your asylum application could be denied. If you have been convicted of a “particularly serious crime” in Washington, the U.S. government may consider you not eligible for asylum. Crimes such as murder, rape, and other aggravated felonies may make you ineligible for asylum according to U.S. immigration law. In addition, if you have been convicted of a crime related to drug trafficking or terrorism, you may not be eligible for asylum either. If you do have a criminal record but it does not fall into any of the categories mentioned above, then you may still be eligible for asylum in Washington. When applying for asylum, you will need to explain to the U.S. government your reasons for seeking asylum and the circumstances of your criminal record. For asylum to be granted, you must be able to demonstrate that you were persecuted or fear persecution due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group. It is important to note that if you have been convicted of a particularly serious crime, you may still be able to obtain refugee status instead of asylum. Refugee status is different than asylum and requires you to have a quote from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Therefore, if you have a criminal record, it is important to speak with a qualified immigration attorney in order to determine all of your options.
THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.La respuesta a esta pregunta depende de sus circunstancias individuales. Si su historial criminal ha sido parte de la persecución que sufrió en su país de origen, es posible que pueda solicitar asilo en Washington. Sin embargo, si la violencia contra usted se debió a su propia conducta criminal, hay una mayor probabilidad de que su solicitud se rechace. La ley de inmigración establece que no se otorgarán derechos de asilo si el demandante ha sido un causa de su propia persecución o ha cometido algunos actos crímines calificados. Estos actos incluyen violaciones de la ley de inmigración, crimen grave como el homicidio, violencia sexual y tráfico de drogas. Debido a estas normas, es importante que antes de solicitar asilo, considere el impacto que su historial criminal puede tener en su solicitud. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre cómo aplicar para asilo en Washington con un historial criminal, le recomendamos que hable con un abogado de inmigración calificado para más detalles. El abogado puede brindarle una evaluación competente y orientación especializada que responda todas sus preguntas.
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