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Asked 4 months ago - San Antonio, TX
FlagM friend has been told by her church that she will be sent to a hospital upon return to Egypt to be examined for signs of prior sexual intercourse. If she isn't found to be a virgin, she could face a life-threatening response from her family. She currently lives in South Korea, but will have to return to Egypt in a years time. Is it possible for her to seek asylum without returning to Egypt beforehand? Can asylum be sought at a U.S. consulate within South Korea? She has very good English, and will have completed a Bachelor's degree in a technical field in South Korea. She is afraid to go back home. On a previous trip she was almost taken to the hospital, but there was not enough time before her scheduled return flight to South Korea.
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You have to be physically present in the U.S. to apply for asylym. If you want asylum but are not present in the U.S., you need to apply for Refugee Status. To apply for refugee status, you must go to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate or, preferably, to an office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). There, you will be asked to prepare and submit USCIS Form I-590 and other documents, including a promise by a U.S. sponsor (oftentimes an organization) to support your resettlement efforts. Good luck to you.
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Dean P. Murray
The Murray Law Firm
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Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
T: (201)875-2600
F: (201)549-8700
