Those who are fearful of returning to their home country due to facing persecution on the basis of their political opinion, nationality, religion, race or affiliation with a social group can apply for asylum in the United States.

A former Ecuadorean newspaper columnist requested U.S. asylum this week in Miami. He faces prison time and millions of dollars in fines in Ecuador for a criminal libel judgment due to his public criticism of President Rafael Correa.

The 58-year-old is a former opinion writer for an opposition newspaper in Ecuador. He, along with the paper's owners and the newspaper itself, were levied a $42 million fine after a February 2011 column criticized the president.

The president then filed a libel lawsuit which has been condemned by human rights and free speech groups internationally. The case reportedly is under appeal in Ecuador.

The columnist fled with his family to Miami in August, saying that he had received threats on behalf of Correa's allies. His asylum application claims that the libel trial was a charade, and that the ruling was fed to the judge from another authority.

Correa has sued several other journalists as well as made other moves to restrict freedom of the media in Ecuador.

About two-thirds of asylum applications are denied. After a rejection, most applicants are placed in deportation proceedings. It is very important that those applying for asylum have a legal advocate who can help them provide supporting evidence that supports their application.

Source: USA Today, "Ecuador newspaper columnist seeks U.S. asylum," J. Pat Carter, Feb. 8, 2012