The asylum system gives migrants fleeing persecution an opportunity to settle in the U.S., but a bureaucratic wall and restrictive policies make the system hard to navigate. A massive immigration court backlog of nearly 1.5 million cases means it can take years before asylum seekers receive a decision. Critics say migrants often don’t understand the asylum process and what they're expected to do. They’re tasked with finding – and paying for – their own lawyer. Another obstacle: Asylum seekers admitted to the U.S. must wait at least a year before they can apply for a permit to work legally in the country. Advocates argue the system needs overhaul. 📷: Nick Oza, The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network