Most people aren’t familiar with the difference between refugees and asylee applicants (or asylum-seekers), but both groups in the U.S. tend to get a disproportionate amount of media attention for a variety of reasons.What’s the difference between refugee and asylee applicants?Refugees and asylees are often misunderstood labels that can mean two separate things, though they are frequently used together.
Both Refugee green cardand asylum seekers must demonstrate:They can no longer live in their home country due to a reasonable fear or proof they will be persecuted.The reason for their persecution is related to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion.In these cases, “persecution” can mean anything from threats and harassment to violence, torture, unfair imprisonment, or denial of basic human rights.
Refugees must apply for a green card after one year in the U.S., while asylees have the option to.
They both receive the same rights as other green card holders (legal permanent residents).difference between refugee and asylee applicants CTACharacteristics of refugeesThe U.S. government has much tighter restrictions on who can be labeled a refugee, but there are many more refugees than asylees granted legal status per year.
In the fiscal year 2013, 69,930 refugees were authorized to enter the U.S., just 70 people shy of the 70,000 maximum.
Iraq, Burma, and Bhutan sent the largest groups of refugees to the U.S.
