Asylum is protection granted by a country to people who have been harmed or fear they will be persecuted on account of one or more protected grounds. These include race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and membership in a social group. To qualify for asylum, a person must prove past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution, usually through testimony and other evidence. Many people seeking asylum do not have access to government-appointed lawyers, a factor that can significantly reduce their chances of success.
While asylum is not a guaranteed right, countries are required by international law to grant it if they can. In the US, a person is granted asylum if they can show past persecution or a well-founded fear that they will be persecuted in the future due to one or more of the five protected grounds. The process is complicated, and it can take years for an individual to receive status.
During that time, asylum seekers are often detained, leaving their families behind and their lives in limbo. They can also lose employment, education and trauma recovery opportunities while their case is pending. This is why we advocate for fair and timely processes that take into account the magnitude of the global displacement crisis.
In the long term, we work to strengthen asylum systems and support the development of a refugee-friendly environment in countries hosting refugees. This can help to efficiently identify those who need international protection, and facilitate their return home if they do not.
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