🛂 What Is a Refugee?
A refugee is someone who is outside their home country and unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Refugees are typically processed abroad through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and resettled in the U.S. after rigorous screening.
🏠 What Is an Asylum Seeker?
An asylum seeker is a person who is already physically present in the U.S. or at a U.S. border and applies for protection based on similar grounds as refugees.
⚖️ Key Differences
| Aspect | Refugee | Asylum Seeker |
|---|---|---|
| Location at application | Outside U.S. | Inside U.S. or at U.S. border |
| Processing | Through international resettlement programs | Through U.S. immigration or asylum procedures |
| Status | Granted refugee status before arrival | Granted asylum status after application in U.S. |
| Access to benefits | Eligible upon arrival | Eligible after asylum approval |
🛡️ Similar Protections
Both refugees and asylees receive protection from removal and may apply for permanent residence after one year.
👩⚖️ Legal Support
Navigating refugee resettlement or asylum claims can be complex. Legal guidance ensures proper application and protection of rights.
📞 Contact Borderless Lawyers for assistance with refugee or asylum applications in the U.S.