Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming individuals from around the world who are seeking protection and refuge. But recent U.S. policy has grown increasingly hostile toward asylum seekers and refugees. Instead of turning vulnerable individuals away, the United States should maintain its global reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement and humanitarian protection. Doing so not only upholds American values but sustains and strengthens our communities. Data from the Council shows that refugees and asylees make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Learn more about the contributions and challenges of asylum seekers and refugees below.
Asylum in the United States
- Asylum
- May 8, 2025
Asylum seekers must navigate a difficult and complex process that can involve multiple government agencies. This fact sheet provides an overview of…
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Impugnando el Cierre del Acceso al Asilo en los Puertos de Entrada
El 20 de enero de 2025, la Administración Trump canceló el acceso al proceso de asilo estadounidense en los puertos de entrada de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México. Ese mismo día, canceló aproximadamente 30,000 citas de inspección en los puertos, programadas a través de la aplicación móvil… Read More
Council and AILA File Lawsuit to Compel DHS and USCIS to Release Details about the Suspension of Processing Asylees’ and Refugees’ Green Card Applications
On March 25, 2025, media reports surfaced indicating that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—the agency in charge of approving green card applications and other immigration benefits—had stopped processing green card applications filed by asylees and refugees. The suspension impacts tens of thousands of individuals who fled their home… Read More
The Council Received Data on City-Level Refugee Resettlement From the Department of State
Background Through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, the United States accepts tens of thousands of refugees each year. Before coming to the United States as refugees, individuals undergo a long and arduous process: they must prove they either have been persecuted… Read More
Challenging the Shutdown of Asylum Access at Ports of Entry
On June 11, 2025, asylum seekers, Al Otro Lado, and Haitian Bridge Alliance filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to challenge the asylum shutdown policy and the cancellation of CBP One appointments. Read More
Asylum Seekers Challenge Trump’s Asylum Shutdown Policy
People fleeing persecution and torture in their home countries have joined immigrant rights organizations to challenge the Trump administration’s unlawful shutdown of asylum along the U.S.-Mexico border. Read More
Trump Travel Ban Will Have Severe Economic, Humanitarian Costs
These travel bans do nothing to make us safer or more prosperous: they harm our economy and indiscriminately punish immigrants who otherwise qualify to come to the United States legally. Read More
Impugnación de la Desaparición bajo la Ley de Enemigos Extranjeros sin el Debido Proceso
El Consejo Americano de Inmigración y la ACLU presentaron una petición de hábeas corpus para impedir el traslado de Y.A.P.A. al CECOT sin darle una oportunidad significativa de comparecer ante un juez para revisar las acusaciones del gobierno en su contra. Read More
Challenging Disappearance under the Alien Enemies Act Without Due Process
The American Immigration Council and the ACLU filed a habeas petition to prevent our petitioner's transfer to CECOT without affording him a meaningful opportunity to appear before a judge to review the government’s allegations against him. Read More
Trump Administration Abruptly Stopped Processing Green Card Applications Filed by Asylees, Refugees. A FOIA Request Seeks Answers
On March 25, news reports surfaced that the Trump administration imposed a suspension in the processing of certain green card applications. The news reports stated that a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official confirmed the suspension. The agency said the suspension applied to people who entered the… Read More
Council and AILA Submit FOIA Request Seeking Information on Trump Administration Suspension of Green Card Applications
On March 25, 2025, media reports surfaced indicating U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—the agency in charge of approving green card applications—stopped processing green card applications filed by asylees and refugees. The suspension would affect refugees, which the U.S. government has already… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
