Des Plaines Asylum Lawyer

Are you looking for an asylum lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

At Dworsky Law Firm, we are trusted asylum lawyers serving clients across Des Plaines for over 25 years.

If you fled your home country because of persecution, or because you fear what waits for you if you return, American law offers a path to protection. It also demands precision. Attorney Ashley Dworsky has practiced immigration law for more than 25 years, and he understands what separates a strong asylum application from one that invites scrutiny. An experienced Des Plaines, IL asylum lawyer can help you tell your story clearly and support it with evidence that withstands. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

Asylum Lawyer Des Plaines, IL

Asylum is a form of protection available to people already in the United States who cannot return home because of persecution, or a well-founded fear of it, based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Under USCIS asylum rules, applicants request this protection by filing Form I-589 with the government.

About one in three Des Plaines residents was born outside the United States, according to Census QuickFacts. This is a city shaped by immigrants, and the asylum claims we see from this community span nearly every continent. Our firm handles affirmative asylum filings with USCIS as well as claims raised before an immigration judge.

Types of Asylum Cases We Handle in Des Plaines

Asylum work covers far more than a single form. Protection can arrive through several channels, and the right one depends on your history, your timing, and your family. Our firm handles each of the following for clients in Des Plaines, IL and the surrounding suburbs.

Affirmative asylum. Applications filed directly with USCIS by people who are not in removal proceedings. We prepare the I-589, assemble country condition evidence, and get clients ready for the asylum office interview.
Defensive asylum. Asylum raised as a defense after the government starts removal proceedings. An immigration judge hears these cases, and preparation looks much closer to trial work.
Withholding of removal. Protection for applicants who can show it is more likely than not they would face persecution if returned. The standard is higher than asylum, and the benefits are narrower.
Protection under the Convention Against Torture. Relief for people who face a likelihood of torture by their government or with its acquiescence. We often file these claims alongside asylum and withholding requests.
Temporary Protected Status. Form I-821 filings for nationals of designated countries experiencing armed conflict or disaster. Designations change frequently, so we watch those deadlines closely.
DACA. Form I-821D requests and renewals for people brought to this country as children.
VAWA and Special Immigrant Juvenile petitions. Form I-360 filings for survivors of abuse and for children who cannot safely reunify with a parent.
Refugee travel documents. Form I-131 applications that let asylees and refugees travel abroad without abandoning their status.
Work authorization for asylum applicants. Form I-765 filings, typically submitted around 150 days after the asylum application. Timing mistakes here cost people months of income.

Why Choose Dworsky Law Firm as my Asylum Lawyer in Des Plaines, IL?

Immigration Experience That Includes His Own

Ashley Dworsky is an immigrant himself. He earned his green card in the Extraordinary Ability category, which means he has sat on the applicant’s side of this system and felt what our clients experience. He received his law degrees from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Attorney Dworsky is admitted to the State Bars of Illinois and New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, the South African Bar, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2019 through 2026.

A Practice Devoted Entirely to Immigration Law

Immigration is the entire practice at our firm. For more than 25 years, our immigration lawyer in Des Plaines, IL has represented asylum seekers, families, workers, and businesses from around the world, and we have helped clients across the Chicago area secure protection, status, and stability.

Understanding Asylum Cases

Eligibility Requirements and Forms of Protection in Asylum Cases

Three related forms of protection exist for people who fear return, and each carries its own standard of proof. A handful of core concepts are the foundation of almost every case:

Persecution must connect to one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Applicants generally must file Form I-589 within one year of arriving in the United States, though exceptions exist for changed or extraordinary circumstances.
Withholding of removal requires proof that persecution is more likely than not. That is a tougher standard than the well-founded fear required for asylum.
Convention Against Torture protection turns on the likelihood of torture, not on any protected ground.
A grant of asylum can extend to your spouse and unmarried children under 21, either on your application or through a follow-to-join petition filed within two years.

What Are Important Aspects of an Asylum Case?

Credibility decides more asylum cases than any legal doctrine. Your written declaration, interview answers, and testimony in court all need to line up clearly, because inconsistencies invite denials. Corroboration carries weight too, and a well-built record of documents and witness statements can rescue a claim that memory alone cannot.

USCIS has expanded NTA issuance after denials, so a rejected application can push you into deportation proceedings. Some refugees admitted in recent years are now receiving USCIS re-interviews. And applicants who suffered serious crimes here in the United States may hold a separate path to status through a U visa. We evaluate every one of these angles before filing anything.

What Is The Asylum Case Timeline?

No two asylum cases move at the same pace, and USCIS processing times shift from year to year. A typical affirmative case follows these steps:

Filing Form I-589, followed by a biometrics appointment within a few weeks.
Applying for work authorization roughly 150 days after filing. Because DHS ended automatic EAD extensions for several categories, renewals now need attention well in advance.
The asylum interview, which may arrive quickly under last-in, first-out scheduling or sit pending for years.
A decision, or referral to immigration court if the claim is not granted and you hold no other status. Court cases demand real removal defense preparation.
One year after a grant, asylees may pursue a green card through adjustment of status, and many later go on to citizenship.

What Should You Bring to Your Asylum Consultation?

Bring what you have to you consultation. Useful materials include:

Passports, I-94 records, and any prior immigration filings or government notices for you and your family.
Evidence of persecution, such as police reports, medical records, photographs, threatening messages, or news coverage.
Records tying you to the political party, religious community, or group at the center of your claim.
Names and contact information for witnesses who could provide sworn statements.

Expect the first meeting to focus on your story and your deadlines. A Des Plaines, IL asylum lawyer from our office will map out a filing strategy with you before you leave so you know what to do next.

Chicago Immigration Court and Local Resources

Des Plaines has no immigration court of its own. Defensive cases for Cook County residents are heard at the Chicago Immigration Court, while affirmative interviews run through the Chicago Asylum Office. USCIS also maintains local field offices for biometrics and related appointments. For community support, the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago serves low-income immigrants throughout the region.

Reach Out to Dworsky Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

The one-year filing deadline makes early planning valuable, and strong applications take time to build. We keep clients informed at every stage, and we will give you an honest assessment of your options before you commit to anything. Contact us to schedule a consultation with an asylum attorney serving Des Plaines.