Asylum
affirmative with USCIS, or defensive in immigration court
People in the United States who fear persecution in their home country can ask for asylum using Form I-589. An affirmative claim is filed with USCIS and decided after a non-adversarial interview with an asylum officer. A defensive claim is made before an immigration judge (EOIR) during removal proceedings. A grant lets the person stay, work, bring a spouse and children, and apply for a green card after one year.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Life in United States
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People physically present in the US, or arriving at the border, who fear persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Eligibility
Protected grounds
The claim must be based on persecution, or fear of persecution, because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Physical presence
You must be physically present in the United States, or arriving at a port of entry. You cannot be a US citizen.
One-year filing deadline
File the I-589 within one year of your last arrival in the US, unless an exception applies.
1 year
Filing deadline
- Exceptions exist for changed or extraordinary circumstances linked to the delay
- You must still file within a reasonable time after the exception
Official wording
The I-589 must generally be filed within one year of your last arrival in the US. Exceptions exist for changed circumstances or extraordinary circumstances linked to the delay, if you then file within a reasonable time.
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- 8 more requirements
- 10 documents
- 6 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
- USCIS - Asylum (updated 26 Aug 2026)
- USCIS - Obtaining Asylum in the United States (updated 28 Jul 2026)
- USCIS - The Affirmative Asylum Process (updated 26 Aug 2026)
- USCIS - Affirmative Asylum Interview Scheduling
- USCIS - Form I-589 (updated 30 Sep 2026)
- USCIS - FY 2027 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees
- USCIS - FY 2026 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees
- USCIS - Consequences for Unpaid Annual Asylum Fees (28 Apr 2026)
- Federal Register - USCIS Immigration Fees and Related Procedures Required by H.R.1 (29 Apr 2026)
- Federal Register - Employment Authorization Reform for Asylum Applicants (proposed rule, 23 Feb 2026)
- USCIS Policy Manual update - EAD validity periods (effective 5 Dec 2025)
- USCIS - Recent Court Order on Hold Policies
- EOIR - Types of appeals, motions and required fees
Other routes to United States
- Visit & tourismB-1/B-2 visitor visa
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Work permitsE-1 Treaty Trader
- Permanent residenceDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- FamilyImmigrant Visa for Spouse of a US Citizen
- Investors & entrepreneursEB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
