How does the US define a refugee?

Under United States law, a refugee is someone who: Is of special humanitarian concern to the United States. Demonstrates that they were persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

What is the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker according to the US?

The primary difference between a refugee and an asylee is that a refugee is granted refugee status while still outside the United States; an asylum seeker is granted asylee status after entering the country or while seeking admission at a port of entry.

Who decides which refugees are allowed to settle in the US?

Refugee status is determined by the United Nations. Most refugees who enter the U.S. refugee admissions program are identified and referred for resettlement in the U.S. by the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), a U.S. embassy or an approved humanitarian aid organization. The U.S. is just one of 29 resettlement countries.

How are refugees determined?

Eligibility for refugee status is determined on a case-by-case basis through an interview with a specially-trained USCIS officer. The interview is non-adversarial and is designed to obtain information about an individual’s refugee claim and eligibility for resettlement to the United States.

Is asylum and refugee the same?

A person who requests asylum in the United States is called an asylee. A person who requests protection while still overseas, and then is given permission to enter the U.S. as a refugee, is called a refugee.

Who can claim refugee status?

Any person who feels they are a Person in Need of Protection or a Convention Refugee, may make a claim for protection when they enter or once they are inside Canada. If the person is outside of Canada, they can make an application under the Convention Refugee Abroad Class.