Legal protections for individuals fearing persecution or torture in their home countries. If one form of relief is denied, another may still be granted.

1. ASYLUM
   A form of protection that allows individuals to stay in the U.S. rather than be deported.
   To qualify, applicants must:
   – Demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on race, gender, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
   – Be physically present in the U.S.
   – Unless an exception applies, file for asylum within one year of entering the country.
2. WITHHOLDING OF REMOVAL
   A form of relief that prevents the U.S. government from deporting an individual to their home country. The standard of proof is higher than that required for asylum—applicants must show that they are more likely than not to face serious harm upon return. This may be an option for the applicants who have missed the one-year deadline to file their asylum application.
3. CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE (CAT)
   A form of protection preventing deportation if the applicant can prove they would more likely than not face torture in their home country. Unlike asylum or withholding of removal, CAT does not provide a direct path to permanent residency.