Asylum Seekers

Asylees are people who cannot return to their homeland because of a fear of persecution. Unlike other refugees, asylees are processed within the country where they find refuge. They are permitted to stay when that country determines that they have a legitimate and compelling reason for leaving their homeland. People seeking asylum in the United States or Canada comprise a diverse group. Some have escaped persecution in their homeland and have migrated illegally to North America via boat, plane, or on foot. Others have arrived legally on temporary visas and request asylum only after learning that their home country has become too dangerous for them to return. This book covers the history of the asylum process in North America, as well as the step-by-step process by which a person receives asylum. It also provides examples of cases in which people have found safe haven in the United States and Canada.