Law Office of Alena Shautsova Wins Asylum Claim For Ukrainian National with Missed One Year Deadline

NEW YORK, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A Ukrainian national who filed her claim more than two years after entering the country, was recently granted asylum by the U.S. government after successful argument that the one year deadline should be restored based on changed country conditions in Ukraine.

In 2014, Ukraine went through a series of major changes called by the media "Euromaidan revolution." Those changes deeply affected all aspects of country's life including political, social and economic spheres. Such drastic changes affected lives of people outside of the Ukraine as well: especially those who have been seeking immigration benefits in the U.S. and asylum in particular.

The U.S. Immigration law requires that an applicant for asylum, a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her home country due to persecution or fear of persecution, files paperwork with the U.S. government requesting protection within one year of arrival.  The law allows for very few exceptions to the one year filing deadline, and one of them is a material change of conditions in the applicant's country. The conditions often include particular political, religious or social climate that affects applicant's eligibility for relief.

The case at issue involved an applicant who missed the one year deadline.  At the asylum interview, Alena Shautsova was able to persuade the government that the deadline should be restored due to the recent changes that affect applicant's eligibility. The government agreed with the attorney's argument and issued a decision granting asylum. It means that in a year, if other conditions are met, the applicant will be able to apply for the permanent resident status and subsequently for U.S. citizenship.

This small victory is  truly big not only for this one particular applicant  for whom the four year immigration saga successfully ended , but also for all those who for variety of reasons submit their pleas for help to the United States and its people and who rely on the U.S. equality and justice.

Ms. Shautsova is a New York Immigration attorney and can be reached at (917) 885-2261 or Email

SOURCE Alena Shautsova

Related Links

http://www.shautsova.com