Q: Can an asylum attorney help me decide whether to apply for asylum in the first place?
An immigration attorney can listen to your story and advise you of whether it would be wise to submit an asylum application—or whether doing so would be more likely to land you in removal (deportation) proceedings.
Q: Can an asylum attorney help me get a U.S. work permit?
Some, but not all asylum applicants can qualify for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), otherwise known as a work permit. It depends partly on chance, that is, on how quickly U.S. immigration authorities can make a decision on your case. An asylum attorney can analyze the calendar and help protect your right to receive a work permit.
Q: Can an asylum attorney write my story for me?
To be clear, an asylum attorney will not provide you with a prepackaged story. But they will listen closely to your story (which might take multiple meetings), write up the most important and convincing portions into a statement that accompanies your application, and prepare you to tell that story out loud.
Q: Can an asylum attorney defend me in immigration court?
Yes, the attorney can represent you in immigration court if need be, including eliciting your testimony (asking you the most important questions) and making legal arguments to the judge. If the judge denies your case, the attorney can also draft appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (B.I.A.) and federal courts.