You must file for asylum within one year of your last arrival in the United States, unless you can demonstrate that there are changed circumstances that materially affect your eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances relating to the delay in filing.

To apply for asylum, you will need to submit the following documents:

Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal

Evidence supporting your claim for asylum, such as a personal statement or affidavit describing the harm you fear in your home country, and any documentation, such as news articles or medical reports, that support your claim

Any identity documents you have, such as a passport or birth certificate

Any other supporting documents that can help establish your identity and support your claim for asylum

Proof of your current immigration status, such as your I-94 arrival/departure record or your visa.

Having a criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you from applying for asylum, but it can make the asylum application process more complicated. If you have a criminal record, you should disclose the information to your immigration attorney and discuss any potential impact on your asylum claim.

If you are granted asylum in the United States, you may be eligible to bring your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States as derivative asylees. To do so, you must file a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Once your family members are approved for derivative asylum status, they will be authorized to live and work in the United States, and they may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after one year.