Asylum in the United States may be sought for individuals in the U.S.
who have been persecuted or fear future persecution in their country of origin.
The persecution that they suffer or will suffer must be because of one’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or one’s political beliefs.
If you fall in this category, you must apply for asylum within one year of entering the U.S. Being granted asylum will allow you to remain in this country and obtain your legal permanent residency or “greencard.” You may apply for work authorization (or work permit) 150 days after you have submitted your asylum application.
Our office has extensive experience advocating for and representing clients with asylum cases with USCIS and the immigration courts.
Attorney Rodriguez-Martin was born in Bogota, Colombia. Her paternal grandmother first made the journey to the United States in the 1960s from Colombia and lived in New York City as a single mother struggling to give her son and future grandchildren the opportunities that she never had. These are the same struggles and goals that she sees in the clients that we serve regardless of country of origin, language, gender, religion or background.
She is a graduate of Cardozo Law School. She has been active in the immigrant community since 2002 when she participated in Cardozo’s Immigration Law Clinic. She has worked and volunteered for several organizations helping the immigrant community including Hope’s Door, Immigration Equality, PFLAG of NYC, Bellevue Survivor’s of Torture Program, Kids in Need of Defense, and CEUS Centro Comunitario.
CECILIA RODRIGUEZ-MARTIN
Member of AILA and the National Immigration Litigation Alliance
