Who is eligible for refugee status?
Any person who cannot reside in a country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion may apply to be granted asylum into the United States. Additionally, the person applying for asylum must not be “settled” in any other third country were he would otherwise be safe from persecution. The applicant must show sufficient evidence to prove persecution, or that he has a legitimate fear of future persecution. Many different forms of proof are valid to show evidence such persecution. An foreign national who is outside the U.S. and fits the above definition is considered a refugee. If the foreign national is already in the U.S., she is considered an asylee. The foreign national, irrespective of her current status, may be granted asylum by discretion of the Attorney General. From the date that the foreign national is within the United States or present at a border or port of ent
