Asylum and refugee visas are for individuals who are fleeing persecution in their home country and are seeking protection in the United States. The United States provides protection to individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylum can be sought either affirmatively or defensively. Affirmative asylum is when an individual applies for asylum when they are not in removal proceedings and have not been apprehended by immigration authorities. Defensive asylum is when an individual applies for asylum as a defense against removal in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

The refugee program is a separate process through which individuals can be resettled in the United States if they are unable to return to their home country because of persecution. To be eligible for refugee status, individuals must be outside their home country and must meet the definition of a refugee under U.S. law.

The application process for asylum or refugee status can be complex, and individuals may need to provide evidence of their persecution and the reasons why they are unable to return to their home country.

It’s important to note that the United States has strict security and background check procedures for individuals seeking asylum or refugee status, and individuals must comply with the terms and conditions of their visa in order to remain in the United States legally.

Special Immigrant Visas for certain foreign nationals such as religious workers, Afghan and Iraqi translators, and others

Special Immigrant Visas are a category of immigrant visas for certain foreign nationals who meet specific eligibility criteria. This category includes individuals who have provided assistance to the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan, religious workers, and others who meet specific criteria.

The eligibility criteria and application process for each type of Special Immigrant Visa vary, but generally, individuals must provide evidence of their service, employment, or relationship to the U.S. government, as well as evidence of their eligibility for the visa category.

For example, the Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa programs are for Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have worked for the U.S. government or its contractors in Iraq or Afghanistan. To be eligible, individuals must have provided at least one year of service and must demonstrate that they face a credible threat as a result of their service.

The Religious Worker Visa is for individuals who have been a member of a religious denomination for at least two years and have been offered a job in the United States in a religious vocation or occupation.

It’s important to note that Special Immigrant Visas are subject to immigration regulations, and individuals must comply with the terms and conditions of their visa in order to remain in the United States legally. The application process for these visas can be complex, and individuals may need to provide extensive documentation to prove their eligibility.