Do you know the difference between refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum? The most common refugee terminology explained.

Jun 22, 2018 · Who is an asylum seeker? An asylum seeker is someone who is also seeking international protection from dangers in his or her home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn’t been determined legally. Asylum seekers must apply for protection in the country of destination—meaning they must arrive at or cross a border in order to apply.

Jun 20, 2023 · Those who leave their home countries seeking safety are known as refugees or asylum-seekers. In the United States, there are notable distinctions between these two statuses.

Asylum seekers are individuals who have applied for protection in another country but have not yet been granted refugee status. Refugees, on the other hand, have been officially recognized as such by the host country and have been granted legal protection and rights.

Feb 14, 2025 · While both asylum seekers and refugees seek protection from persecution, there are several key differences in how the two statuses are granted: Asylum seekers: Applicants must already be in the U.S. or at a U.S. port of entry to apply for asylum. Refugees: Applicants must apply from outside the U.S. before entering the country.

While refugees and asylum seekers often share many traits, the difference between asylum and refugee status is in that the individual’s status as an asylum seeker is essentially “limbo” while awaiting a determination of whether or not they qualify as a refugee.

Oct 10, 2024 · Asylum and refugee status both provide protection to individuals fleeing persecution. The key difference is that asylum is sought from within the U.S., while refugee status is applied for from abroad. Both offer pathways to permanent residency after approval.

Mar 19, 2025 · The 1967 Protocol has protected the rights of asylum seekers and refugees since the end of WWII. In the news : The Trump administration closed the southern U.S. border to asylum seekers. (January 2025) The American Civil Liberties Union, National Immigration Justice Center and other organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that ...

Jul 8, 2024 · Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants are often used interchangeably, but each has a unique definition and legal status. This guide aims to clarify these differences, shedding light on the various circumstances that lead individuals to leave their homes and seek safety or better opportunities elsewhere.

Jun 25, 2021 · 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.