What is the difference between refugee status and asylum?
Refugees are foreign nationals who are not yet inside the United States but cannot return to their home countries for fear of persecution. Aliens arriving at U.S. borders can apply for refugee status at that time. Asylum allows aliens who are already in the United States to remain as long as they are not barred from applying for asylum for any reason. Under asylum, a person may adjust his or her status to be a lawful permanent resident. Asylum status can be obtained in two ways: affirmatively, if the person submits an application to the USCIS within a year of arrival in the United States, or defensively, if the government has begun removal or deportation proceedings.
