What is an Asylee?

An asylee is defined as an individual who has fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution and has sought refuge in another country, in this case, the United States. This status is granted to individuals who cannot safely return to their home country because they have experienced or have a genuine fear of suffering persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

This definition highlights that asylees are distinct from other categories of immigrants, as their primary motivation for seeking asylum is the need for protection from threats to their safety and well-being. In the context of U.S. immigration law, an asylee is someone who has been granted asylum after demonstrating their fear of persecution meets the legal standards set forth by U.S. immigration statutes.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition or legal standing of an asylee. For instance, a temporary resident awaiting a visa does not imply a fear of persecution, while an illegal immigrant refers to individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission, which differentiates them from the legally recognized status of asylees. Lastly, a citizen of another country seeking permanent residence does not necessarily pertain to the need for asylum or