To be granted withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a person must demonstrate that if returned to the country of origin he or she is more likely than not to be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. There is no discretionary element here.

U.N. Convention Against Torture

The government of the United States has promised that it will not send anyone back to a country where he or she is likely to be tortured and so an immigration judge will consider eligibility for protection under the Torture Convention even if the asylum-seeker does not specifically request it. To be granted withholding of removal under the U.N. Convention Against Torture, a person must demonstrate that if returned to the country of origin he or she is more likely than not to be tortured. There is also no discretionary element here.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The U.S. government may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to conditions in that country which temporarily prevent its citizens from returning safely, or when the country is unable to handle the return of its citizens, due to various short-term conditions, including ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or an epidemic.

A person who is granted TPS may not be detained or removed from the United States, can work legally in this country, and may be granted a travel document to leave the U.S. and return. While TPS is a temporary benefit and does not lead to lawful permanent residence or any kind of permanent immigration status, holders of TPS may also apply for asylum or any other form of more lasting immigration status if eligible for those forms of relief.


Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.