As migration pressures rise globally, more individuals are exploring unconventional pathways to settle abroad, often driven by economic strain and insecurity in their home countries.
A United States-based nurse has sparked debate online after shedding light on a growing trend where foreign nationals enter the US on visitor visas and later apply for asylum, citing difficult conditions back home.
In a detailed statement shared on Facebook, Nurse Judy Nyakerario said many individuals travel on B1/B2 visit visas with prior plans to seek asylum upon arrival.
She linked the trend to unemployment, insecurity, and lack of opportunity, but warned that the process is widely misunderstood and carries serious legal risks.
“Let’s talk the truth. With no lies. We have so many cases of visit visa turned asylum seekers because back home things are tough. Most people already know before they board the plane that they will file for asylum once they land,” she said.
Nyakerario clarified that asylum under US law is not granted on the basis of general hardship such as poverty or poor infrastructure.
Instead, applicants must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on specific grounds, including race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
She noted that claims rooted in economic difficulty are frequently rejected, as authorities require verifiable evidence such as police reports, medical records, or documented threats targeting the individual.
“Asylum is not for ‘my country is hard.’ It is for ‘my country will harm me specifically.’ You must prove persecution, not just hardship, and your story alone is not enough without evidence,” she explained.
According to her explanation, asylum seekers must file their application within one year of arrival in the United States.
Once filed, applicants are allowed to remain in the country while their cases are processed, a period that can stretch between four and seven years.
However, she cautioned that applicants are not legally permitted to work during the first 150 days after filing. After this period, they may apply for a work permit and obtain a Social Security Number, allowing access to employment and essential services.
Nyakerario also highlighted the intensity of the asylum interview process, where applicants face detailed questioning from immigration officers. Any inconsistencies in their accounts, she warned, can lead to denial.
If unsuccessful, cases are referred to immigration courts, where a final rejection may result in deportation and long-term restrictions on re-entry into the United States.
She added that while many asylum seekers move to states like California, New York, and Washington for support services, asylum laws remain federal and unchanged regardless of location.
Nyakerario urged individuals to fully understand the legal threshold and potential consequences before pursuing asylum, warning that unsuccessful applications could lead to prolonged uncertainty or removal from the US.