“An asylum seeker is any person who has fled from their home country for fear of their lives being jeopardized due to race, religion, nationality, gender, membership in a social group, or political opinion and has asked the United States to grant them asylum, or sanctuary.” (American Immigration Council)
Reasons for seeking asylum vary drastically, and each story is filled with the immense courage and resilience of the person seeking safety. Read real stories from DASH residents here.
Some of the primary places DFW receives its asylum-seeker population include Zimbabwe, Columbia, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Angola.
DASH Eligibility Requirements
DASH applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for acceptance into the DASH program.
- Be in one of the following priority groups:
- Asylum seeker who has entered the US legally
- Recently granted asylees (within 90 days of release from detention)
- Unaccompanied minors who have reached legal adult status and are applying for asylum
- Provide appropriate documentation based on status
- Be willing to relocate to Fort Worth
- Agree to an interview with a DASH-affiliated lawyer to confirm status
- Commit to following all U.S. laws, including refraining from working or driving without proper legal documentation
- Have no other options for safe housing
- Be willing to share an apartment or room with other DASH program residents
*Note: There is no “rule of faith” for asylum seekers. We serve asylum seekers from any and all faith backgrounds.