Understanding the Asylum Process
“Asylum seekers” are human beings, just like all of us!
Asylum seekers are people who have fled their home country due to fear for their life or safety, often because of violence, discrimination, or political persecution. They come to another country and apply for refuge – for asylum.
The Asylum Process
Under U.S. law, people may apply for asylum if they can prove a credible fear of
persecution based on their:
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Race
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Religion
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Nationality
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Membership in a particular social group
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Political opinion
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
There is often confusion around the terms “asylum seeker” and “refugee”. Both flee their home countries for reasons of persecution, but they are in different U.S. immigration categories and processes.
The U.N. defines a refugee as someone who has been forced to flee persecution, war or violence and has crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They have a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Refugees are afforded international protection by other countries because it is too dangerous for them to return home.
Refugees: Apply for protection while living in another country and before entering the U.S. They undergo a thorough vetting process and, if approved, receive resettlement assistance through the federal government.
Asylum Seekers: Arrive in the U.S. and then apply for asylum. Their request for refuge has yet to be processed, and they receive no federal government assistance while their case is pending. If the Immigration Court or Asylum Office grants their request, they are called “asylees”, and they can receive the same federal benefits as do refugees.
Learn more about Asylum
FAQs
Can asylum seekers get jobs?
The asylum seekers CASAN has worked with are very eager to work as soon as they can, to earn their own way and support themselves. But it takes a while. - Asylum seekers have one year to apply for asylum once they have come into the U.S. It can take months to find an asylum attorney and work on their asylum application. - After the government acknowledges the submission of the asylum application, the person must wait 150 days to apply for a work permit. - It takes a month or two more to receive the work permit and social security number
And then what?
People assisted by CASAN have jobs as
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Licensed Nursing Assistants, and medical and radiology technicians in hospitals
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Cleaners and construction workers
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Staff at a VT State agency, a car rental company, and a social service agency
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Employees at grocery stores and restaurants
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And as a childcare assistant teacher and an accountant.
They pay taxes, too!
Learn more about Asylum
People seeking asylum work at local businesses and organizations, and they also attend local schools and churches, and serve as volunteers. They expand thinking and broaden experiences by bringing their unique perspectives and foods, music, stories, and more from their cultures.
We celebrate the ways asylum seekers and other immigrant newcomers enrich our communities through their presence and contributions!