The Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Project for Protection of Asylum Seekers provides free legal representation to asylum seekers fleeing persecution in their homelands. NIJC's National Asylum Partnership on Sexual Orientation serves immigrants seeking asylum based on persecution related to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. 

If you meet the following requirements, you may be eligible for asylum:

• You cannot return to your home country because you have been persecuted in the past by the government or by a group that the government cannot or will not control or fear you will be persecuted in the future.

• You have been or will be targeted for persecution in your home country because of your religion, political views, race or nationality, or because you are a member of a particular social group.

The Asylum Project at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) will meet with you to discuss whether seeking asylum is a viable option in your situation. If NIJC is able to assist, the Asylum Project will find free legal representation to help you prepare your asylum application and to represent you before the Department of Homeland Security and/or the Chicago Immigration Court. Please note this service will require frequent visits to Chicago and that NIJC does not have the means to assist with transportation costs. To set up a consultation, refer to the intake hour schedules to the right.

Learn more about services available to immigrants seeking asylum based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status