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Asylum For Children

Are you a child who came to U.S. alone and are afraid to return to your home country?
Do you know an unaccompanied minor who entered U.S. by themselves?

We’re Here to Help!

Each year, thousands of noncitizens arriving at our border or already in the United States apply for asylum, or protection from persecution. Asylum seekers must navigate a difficult and complex process that can involve multiple government agencies. Many who migrate to the United States from other countries are children unaccompanied by parents or guardians. The law provides certain protections to unaccompanied children to ensure that they are provided numerous safeguards and due process rights in the United States. Many children are forced to flee their home countries because of domestic violence, child abuse, gang violence, and/or extreme poverty conditions. Asylum provides  opportunity for them to apply to live in the United States permanently and receive certain benefits.

The term Unaccompanied Alien Child was first found their way into United States law in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA). The HSA defines an unaccompanied alien child as a person who:

  • does not have lawful immigration status in the United States;
  • is under the age of 18 years; and
  • is without a parent or legal guardian in the United States.

You may qualify for asylum if you are afraid to return to your home country. Asylum provides protection to you by providing lawful immigration status, ensuring that you no longer have to return to your home country to face harm.

When unaccompanied children arrive in the United States, one of their first interactions is with the Border Patrol of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Soon thereafter, children are placed with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Typically, unaccompanied children tell government officials that even though they are not citizens or nationals of the United States, they wish to remain in the country because they are afraid to return to their country of origin, where there is considerable violence and poverty. This articulation is generally understood as a request for relief from removal from the United States.

Applying for asylum can be a scary thing, especially for a child. Asylum cases can be difficult to win because it requires evidence from not only the applicant, but from country conditions to support that an asylum approval is warranted. The law is very complicated about what constitutes harm and whether a particular type of harm is covered by the five protected grounds.

Contact our office today to evaluate an asylum case of unaccompanied minor so we can help him/her get on the right track to obtaining this important form of relief.

About Our Firm

The Law Offices of David S. Santee is a Philadelphia-based law firm that represents individuals and businesses in a variety of immigration matters, including family-based applications for permanent residency and naturalization, employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, asylum petitions, and removal defense. We have  extensive experience with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, having worked on more than 175 projects seeking EB-5 financing. Our firm’s founder, David S. Santee, Esquire, has nearly two decades of experience practicing law. A seasoned courtroom advocate, Mr. Santee is the former Director of Trial Advocacy Programs at Villanova University School of Law, where he continues to teach a course in Trial Advocacy as an Adjunct Professor. In addition to representing clients in immigration matters, Mr. Santee has also tried hundreds of criminal cases. He often represents individuals who are at risk of being removed from the United States due to pending or past criminal charges.

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Call (215) 717-8000

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See What Our Clients Have to Say

  • “I have had the privilege of working closely with Mr. Santee for over 5 years and have relied on his superb skills and excellent judgement to assist me in completing complex cases to successful outcomes. Our organization wouldn’t be where we are today without the strong relationship we have with Mr. Santee.”

    Thomas Martin Vice President, Baker Tilly Capital
  • “Mr. Santee represented me on my appeal. He got my conspiracy charge reduced and my sentence cut in half so that I ended up with time-served. He saved me four years of parole!”

    K.T. Lawncrest
  • "I thought I was going to die in prison. However, today I can see the light at the end of the tunnel because of the dedication and hard work of Attorney at Law David Santee. Anyone who is seeking true representation from an attorney who is not going to take your money and sell you out should consider David Santee because he will ensure your rights are protected."

    Luis Gonzalez Former Juvenile Lifer

More About Our Immigration Practice

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Family Petitions

We represent individuals who are seeking to immigrate to the United States through a family member who is a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. This includes spouses, finances, children, siblings, and other family members.

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Employment Petitions

We represent individuals who are seeking to travel or immigrate to the United States based on their employment status. This includes priority workers, skilled workers, professionals with advanced degrees, and foreign investors.

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Removal Defense

We represent individuals in removal proceedings in Immigration Court. If you or a loved one has been served with a Notice to Appear in Immigration Court, contact us now to find out what defenses are available.

Based in Philadelphia
Serving all of Pennsylvania

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