Level Source Function
International 1951 Refugee Convention, 1967 Protocol, UN Convention Against Torture Establishes refugee protection principles and the non-refoulement obligation.
Statutory (U.S. Code) Immigration and Nationality Act (INA): §§ 101(a)(42), 208, 235(b)(1), 241(b)(3) — Codified at 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101(a)(42), 1158, 1225(b)(1), 1231(b)(3) Defines asylum eligibility, credible-fear procedures, and bars to removal.
Regulatory (C.F.R.) 8 C.F.R. parts 208, 1208, 235, 1240 Specifies how USCIS, CBP, and EOIR implement the INA asylum provisions.

2. Agency Responsibilities

Agency Department Role in Asylum System Key Regulations
USCIS DHS Handles affirmative asylum and conducts credible-fear interviews for border arrivals. 8 C.F.R. part 208
CBP DHS Screens entrants at or between ports of entry; refers those expressing fear to USCIS. 8 C.F.R. part 235
ICE DHS Detains asylum applicants and represents the government before EOIR. 8 C.F.R. part 236
EOIR DOJ Immigration Judges (IJs) and the BIA conduct defensive asylum hearings and appeals. 8 C.F.R. parts 1208, 1240
DOS — Provides country-conditions info and manages overseas refugee processing. 22 C.F.R. part 40

3. Asylum Process Overview

Affirmative Asylum

  • Filed voluntarily (Form I-589) with USCIS.
  • Non-adversarial interview by Asylum Officer.
  • If denied, case is referred to EOIR for a hearing before an IJ.

Defensive Asylum

  • Requested as a defense in removal proceedings.
  • Adjudicated by an Immigration Judge (EOIR).
  • Decision can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and then federal courts.

4. Credible Fear (Expedited Removal) Process

  1. CBP encounter — individual expresses fear of persecution or torture.
  2. USCIS Asylum Officer conducts a Credible Fear Interview (CFI) under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1)(B).
  3. If credible fear found → referred to EOIR for full asylum hearing.
  4. If not found → limited Immigration Judge review; may result in removal.

5. Forms of Protection

Type Legal Basis Standard of Proof Benefits
Asylum INA § 208 / 8 U.S.C. § 1158 “Well-founded fear” (≈ 10–15%) Path to green card & citizenship; derivative family benefits.
Withholding of Removal INA § 241(b)(3) / 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3) “More likely than not” persecution Mandatory protection; no path to residency.
CAT Protection 8 C.F.R. §§ 208.16–208.18 “More likely than not” torture Bars removal to a country where torture is likely; no green card.

6. Key Regulatory References

  • 8 C.F.R. § 208.13 — Standards for granting asylum
  • 8 C.F.R. § 208.30 — Credible-fear interview procedures
  • 8 C.F.R. § 208.7 — Employment authorization for asylum applicants
  • 8 C.F.R. § 208.21 — Derivative asylum status for spouse/children
  • EOIR Policy Manual (Vol. 1–4) — Immigration Judge & BIA procedures
  • DHS / DOJ Joint Rules (2023–2024) — Border processing and parole standards under Title 8

7. Process Flow (Simplified)


Arrival / Presence in U.S.

        │

        ▼

Expresses Fear → CBP → USCIS (Credible Fear Interview)

        │

        ├── Positive → EOIR Asylum Hearing (Defensive Asylum)

        │         └── IJ Decision → BIA Appeal → Federal Courts

        │

        └── Negative → IJ Review → Removal