What's the difference between a refugee and an asylee?
Refugees and asylees are people seeking protection in the U.S. on the grounds that they fear persecution in their homeland. A refugee applies for protection while outside the United States. An "asylee" differs from a refugee because the person first comes to the United States and, once here, applies for protection. Refugees generally apply in refugee camps or at designated processing sites outside their home countries. In some instances, refugees may apply for protection within their home countries, such as in the Former Soviet Union, Cuba, and Vietnam. If accepted as a refugee, the person is sent to the U.S. and receives assistance through the "refugee resettlement program."

How many refugees does the U.S. accept?
The United States accepts a limited number of refugees each year. This number is determined by the President in consultation with Congress. In fiscal year 2003, for example, 90,000 refugees will be permitted to come to the U.S. The total number of refugees admitted is divided among different regions of the world. In fiscal year 2001, the regions and the numbers of admissions will be:

• Europe and the Former Soviet Union - 37,000
• Africa - 20,000
• East Asia - 6,000
• Near East/South Asia - 10,000
• Latin America and the Caribbean - 3,000
• Unallocated reserve - 4,000 (these may be allocated to refugees fleeing unforeseen trouble which may arise during the course of the year)

In Fiscal Year of 2002, the total number of immigrants admitted into the U.S. was drastically reduced due to the security measures in place as a result of the 911 terrorist attacks. More information can be accessed at the links page. Go to the U.S. committee for refugees and then to World Wide Refugee Information where statistics can be accessed under "Refugees Admitted".

How does someone gain refugee status?
To qualify for refugee resettlement in the U.S., a person must come from a country designated by the Department of State. The person must meet the definition of a "refugee" by proving that she has a "well founded fear of persecution." The refugee applicant must prove this fear is based on the possibility of persecution because of her race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion, or national origin. In addition, a refugee must fit into one of a set of "priority" categories, which factor in degree of risk to the refugee's life, membership in certain groups of special concern to the U.S., and existence of family members in the U.S. After refugees have been in the U.S. for one year, they are eligible to become permanent residents. There is no limit to the number of refugees who may become permanent residents each year.

What benefits do refugees receive?
The circumstances under which refugees leave their country are different from other immigrants. Often they are fleeing persecution without the luxury of bringing personal possessions or preparing themselves for life in a new culture. Recognizing this fact, the federal government provides transitional resettlement assistance to newly arrived refugees.

In the first 90 days, private voluntary agencies contract with the Department of State to provide for a refugee's food, housing, employment, medical care, counseling, and other services to help the refugee make the transition to economic self-sufficiency. Certain refugees are entitled to a special program of Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the state in which the refugee resides.

While most newly arriving immigrants are barred from receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and Food Stamps until they become citizens, refugees are exempt from this ban for the first seven years after they gain refugee status.

How does someone become an asylee?
Like a refugee, an asylum applicant must also prove that he has a "well founded fear of persecution" based on his race, religion, membership in a social group, political opinion, or national origin. Once granted asylum, the person is called an "asylee."

Individuals inside the U.S. may apply for asylum in one of two ways. The application may be submitted "affirmatively" when it is done directly to one of the eight asylum offices in the U.S. An interview with a specially trained asylum officer follows to review the case. A "defensive" application is submitted as a way to prevent deportation when an asylum seeker is in removal proceedings. In defensive cases, an Immigration Judge decides the application. In either instance, the application must be submitted within one year of entry to the U.S., or the person will be found automatically ineligible. Exceptions are allowed for extraordinary circumstances. While there is no limit on the number of people who may apply for asylum, of those applicants who apply based on a claim of persecution for coercive family planning reasons, only 1,000 per year may be granted. In Fiscal Year 1999, more than 13,500 asylum applications were approved. After a year, an asylee may apply for permanent resident status. Only 10,000 asylees each year are allowed to become permanent residents.

Individuals seeking to apply for asylum upon arriving at a U.S. airport or other port of entry are subject to a recently created summary exclusion system. If an asylum seeker arrives with false or no documents, he must establish a fear of persecution at an on-the-spot interview before an immigration officer, or face immediate deportation. An immigration judge may review a negative decision within seven days. Of the persons identified for expedited removal, only about 5% get beyond the on-the-spot interview and see an asylum officer. Of those, 80% convince asylum officers that they have a credible fear of persecution and are given the chance to make their case to an Immigration Judge.

How can Bridge assist asylees?
Limited financial assistance is available for asylees who contact Bridge before the 30th day following the date issued on their approval of assylum letter. After this 30 day time period, assistance in job placement, along with referrals, are available.

From the National Immigration Forum 2000