If you are a non-citizen currently in the United States, you can apply for asylum with Form I-589. Asylum is an immigration status that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can grant to people who have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and/or membership in a particular social group. If USCIS grants you asylum, you can remain in the United States and work here with employment authorization.
Asylum seekers must file Form I-589 within one year of arrival in the United States. If you do not file this form within one year, you may be ineligible to apply for asylum under immigration law. If you entered the United States illegally or you overstayed a visa, you could face deportation or arrest from immigration authorities.
Form I-589 is ten pages long, with a two-page supplement. It has seven parts in total. It is essential to provide accurate information consistent with any previous immigration applications. If USCIS determines that you were dishonest, you may be permanently inadmissible to the United States.
Read this article for more information including sections explaining how to complete the different parts of Form I-589.