Asylum is a discretionary immigration relief granted to those who can prove that they have a "credible" fear of persecution if they are returned to their home country. This fear has to be on the basis of five different grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a ptclr social group and political opinion. The fact that past persecution has occurred on these grounds leads to a presumption that the same could happen again, if country conditions have not changed since the applicant left the home country. Someone mentioned the one year thingie. Yes, that is a catch. YOU have to apply for it within a year of entering the US, unless you can show that exceptional circumstances prevented you from doing so. Many who cross the one year deadline are granted, if at all, only withholding of removal, which is similar to asylum but does not put you on the path of permanent residence or citizenship. More details available at http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/asylum/index.htm Asylum can be applied for ONLY if you are already in the US somehow. Hope this helps........