Site: nolo.com
... A person still outside the U.S. would apply to be a refugee; a person already at the U.S. border or ( ... better yet) inside the U.S. would apply for asylum. ... If you are fleeing only poverty or random violence, you do not qualify in either category. ... Do not go straight to USCIS, which could result in your deportation (removal). ... understand whether you're eligible for a green card, and then make it through the bureaucratic maze, see How ...