Day: September 2, 2025

People from around the world seek asylum to rebuild their lives in a safe place away from violence and persecution. People granted asylum can live in the United States legally, work and study, and can eventually apply for lawful permanent resident status (or “green card”). Asylum is a discretionary form of protection, but unlike refugee status, there is no numerical limit on how many people can be granted asylum each year. People who are denied asylum are eligible for more limited forms of protection, such as withholding of removal and deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture.

The asylum process is complex and involves multiple government agencies. It requires evidence proving that you have suffered past persecution or that you have a well-founded fear of future persecution. The credible fear determination is based primarily on your own testimony, but can be supplemented by other reliable information, such as documents, video recordings, and eyewitness accounts. The process can take years to complete. Backlogs of cases before immigration courts and USCIS asylum offices have increased substantially in recent years. These delays separate families, create uncertainty about a person’s future in the U.S., and make it more difficult to find pro bono lawyers who are able to commit their time to the case.

Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right, enshrined in both international law and United States laws. The principle of non-refoulement is central to the 1951 Refugee Convention and is a core international legal commitment. The United States should uphold its national and international obligations by improving the efficiency of the asylum process, including through reforms that ensure fair and timely review of claims, consistent with established legal standards.

Whether your company has stagnated or is struggling to gain ground in its industry, merging with another company could be the key to your business’s growth. By combining with a larger company, you can access new markets and increase your sales potential. However, it’s important to consider the benefits and costs of a business merger.

Mergers and acquisitions are both powerful strategic options for a business, but there are important differences between the two that you should be aware of. A business merger involves the consolidation of businesses into one legal entity, while an acquisition occurs when a company buys out another company’s shares, equity or assets.

A horizontal merger happens when companies that are in the same industry or at similar stages of production merge. This can help streamline processes, reduce production costs and expand their market reach. A vertical merger, on the other hand, combines companies that offer similar products or services to create a more comprehensive offering. This strategy can improve profitability by allowing a company to leverage its existing customer base while also gaining access to new markets without having to invest resources into research and development.

When preparing for a business merger, you must conduct due diligence to assess the target company’s finances, culture and assets. This process also includes evaluating the potential for increased regulatory scrutiny, both domestically and abroad. Once you’ve determined if the merger will benefit your company, it’s important to work with attorneys and financial experts to determine the optimal deal structure, leadership roles, ownership stakes and other key aspects of the agreement.