WHAT IS AN ASYLUM SEEKER?

The United States provides asylum to certain eligible persons, along with their eligible relatives, who have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution based on  race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and who are physically present or arriving in the United States at the time they apply for protection. 

 

The United States provided protection to 54,350 asylees during 2023, including 22,300 individuals who were granted asylum affirmatively by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within DHS and 32,050 individuals who were granted asylum defensively by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). An additional 4,790 individuals received derivative asylum status while residing in the United States based on a relative’s asylum grant. In addition, 13,930 individuals abroad were approved as follow-to-join asylees and issued travel documents to enter the United States.

The leading countries of nationality for persons granted either affirmative or defensive asylum were Afghanistan, the People’s Republic of China (China), and Venezuela. (Department of Homeland Security)

​​

WHAT IS THE BACKLOG OF ASYLUM CASES ?

U.S. Government Accountability Office reported in October 2023 that more than 2 million cases are pending in U.S. immigration courts. This backlog has more than tripled since the start of fiscal year 2017. The effects of the backlog are significant and widespread. In particular, the backlog causes delays and poses challenges for noncitizens whose cases are being heard in immigration courts, as well as attorneys and immigration judges and court staff.

​​

​​Some noncitizens—including children and families—wait years to have their cases heard. The delays postpone decisions for vulnerable populations who may be eligible for protections, such as asylum. They also prolong the removal from the U.S. of those who do not have valid claims to remain. Further, these delays result in increased work for about 650 immigration judges and court staff. ​​

​​​

HOW DOES SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL HOUSE HELP?

• Provide free temporary lodging and social work assistance to legal asylum seekers with a referral from our approved partner agencies

• Advocate on behalf of asylum seekers to ensure they know their rights when encountering law enforcement agents, improve conditions in detention centers and to shorten the time that cases take to be decided

• Organize volunteer visitation providing hope and encouragement to detainees (these visit are currently permitted only to family members)