An asylum seeker must establish that he or she is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, their country of origin because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. INA § 101(a)(42)(A); 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b).
Asylum and Withholding of Removal can be filed affirmatively with the Asylum Office or defensively with the Immigration Judge during the removal proceeding.
It is important to present detailed information to delineate your claim that is on account of one of the statutorily prescribed grounds and persecution. Only with effective legal representation, can your asylum claim meet the stringent legal standards.