Jacksonville Asylum Attorney
Immigration-Only Representation for Asylum Seekers in Florida & Georgia
Asylum is a legal protection the United States offers to people who face persecution if they return home. Seeking it is complicated. It requires precise documentation, strict deadlines, and navigation of both USCIS and immigration court processes. If you or someone you love needs this protection, Law Office of Karen Winston, LLC can help.
Our firm focuses exclusively on immigration law and has represented immigrants from around the world for over a decade. We provide honest guidance and fierce advocacy for everyone who trusts us with their case. We offer in-person and virtual consultations, and our team communicates in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole so every client is heard and understood. Our Jacksonville asylum attorneys represent clients throughout Florida and Georgia.
Call (904) 740-3690 or contact us online to get started.
How We Handle Your Asylum Case
The asylum process runs on two tracks. Affirmative asylum is filed directly with USCIS before any removal proceedings begin. Defensive asylum is raised as a defense during removal proceedings before an immigration judge. Either path demands careful preparation, and our approach is the same: we work through every stage with you rather than handing off pieces of your case.
Initial Consultation
We begin with a thorough consultation to assess your eligibility and determine which asylum track applies to your situation. We offer this in person or virtually so you can start the process regardless of where you are.
Preparing Your Application
Once we establish eligibility, we prepare your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. A well-prepared I-589 with complete documentation and a credible, consistent narrative is central to a strong case.
Filing Your Application
We file your completed application with the appropriate immigration authorities to meet deadlines and keep your submission accurate and complete.
Attending the Asylum Interview
After filing, you’ll be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS asylum officer. We prepare you thoroughly for this meeting and attend with you. USCIS requires attorneys to be physically present at asylum interviews, and we are there.
Awaiting a Decision
After your interview, your case enters a review period. We keep you informed throughout the wait and provide updates as they become available.
If Your Application Is Denied
A denial isn’t the end. Our team can guide you through available options, including an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. We continue advocating for you at every stage.
Who Can Seek Asylum in the US?
If you are physically present in the United States or at a port of entry, you may apply for asylum. To qualify, you must show that returning to your home country would expose you to persecution based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
If you don’t qualify for asylum, other forms of relief may be available. Read about them on our deportation defense page.
What Sets Us Apart
Ethical and Trusted Representation
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High Success Rate
Over almost 15 years of service, Karen Winston has an impressive record of keeping families together.
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Reputation for Excellence
As an attorney and former law professor, Karen Winston is well-respected before USCIS, courts, and judges.
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Immigration Is All We Do
We focus exclusively on Immigration services and are fully prepared for whatever your case may need.
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Trustworthy Representation
Our dedicated team truly cares about each client, and we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards.
The Benefits of Asylum Status
One of asylum’s most significant benefits is protection for your family. If you’re granted asylum, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may receive asylum as well.
Asylum status also allows you to:
- Obtain authorization to legally work in the US
- Get a driver’s license or state identification card
- Apply for a green card after one year
- Apply for citizenship after four years
Why Jacksonville Asylum Seekers Choose Our Firm
You can technically seek asylum without an attorney, but the evidentiary standards are strict, credibility determinations are unforgiving, and defensive proceedings are adversarial. What sets the Law Office of Karen Winston apart is a combination of credentials built specifically around asylum and humanitarian immigration work, not general practice experience applied to immigration cases.
Karen Winston’s Asylum Credentials
Karen Winston founded the Baker Defense Project of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship, providing direct representation to detained foreign nationals facing deportation, including asylum seekers held at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida. That work earned her recognition as the 2016 Pro Bono Champion by the Central Florida Chapter of AILA, an honor given for advocacy on behalf of asylum seekers, crime victims, survivors of domestic violence, and trafficking victims. She also serves as the AILA Central Florida Chapter Chair liaison to ICE and Enforcement and Removal Operations, giving her ongoing engagement with the agencies that shape these outcomes.
An Immigration-Only Practice Built for Your Case
Our firm handles only immigration law. That focus, combined with over a decade of representation and multilingual service in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, means your case is handled by a team that knows this area of law deeply and can communicate with you clearly at every step.
