People across Maryland and around the country have followed with ever-increasing closeness the deportation case of Prince George’s County resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The case has brought several aspects of immigration law into the public eye. Most people are familiar with some of the terminology; other terms are likely new. While the issues surrounding this man’s deportation raise many important and unsettled questions, the controversy shows clearly that immigration matters can be complicated, intricate, and multi-layered. That is why, if you are facing deportation or other immigration action, you need a Maryland immigration lawyer on your side who possesses a complete and in-depth understanding of all aspects of immigration law.
Two of those terms are “asylum” and “withholding of removal.” People outside the community of immigration lawyers are more likely to be familiar with the former than with the latter. Today, we will examine both in some detail to help clarify the differences between them.
Asylum
Asylum specifically refers to a form of protection the U.S. grants to non-citizens who cannot return to their country of citizenship because doing so would place them at risk of persecution. To secure asylum, a non-citizen (or their attorney) must persuade an immigration judge not only that they fear persecution if returned to their country of citizenship, but that their fear is a “well-founded” one. A person may seek (and obtain) asylum whether they are documented or undocumented.