In today’s world, where millions seek refuge from persecution and violence, understanding the meaning of asylum is crucial. Asylum, serving as both a legal concept and a humanitarian endeavor, protects people escaping persecution in their native lands.
It embodies hope, security, and the personal entitlement to live without fear. Throughout this article, I will explain the definition and significance of asylum. People who are granted asylum are known as asylees.
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Who is an asylum seeker?
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An asylum seeker, like me or you, is someone who leaves their home country due to fear of persecution, violence, or other forms of oppression and harm. They seek refuge in a foreign country and apply for asylum, hoping for protection and safety.
Asylum seekers usually face uncertainty as they navigate complex legal processes to prove their need for protection. Understanding this journey is essential to get compassion and support to those in search of sanctuary.
The right to seek Asylum
The right to seek asylum and safety from persecution in a foreign country arose from the tragedies of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. In its wake, dozens of nations promised never to slam the door on people needing protection. The right to asylum was rooted in 1948’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Refugee Convention of 1951, and the 1967 Protocol.
The United States passed its federal law, the Refugee Act of 1980, for people fleeing persecution on “account of religion, race, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” The Refugee Act is created to ensure that people who seek asylum within the U.S. or at its border are not sent back to places where they face persecution.
Why do people seek asylum meaning?
People from all over the world seek asylum for many reasons. Some people leave their homes to pursue employment or education. Others leave their homes because of persecution or human rights abuses like torture. Millions of people leave violent situations, crises, and armed wars.
Some people no longer feel safe and may have been singled out because of who they are, what they do, or what they believe, such as their race, religion, sexual orientation, or political beliefs.
Asylum begins with the prospect of a brighter future, but it can also be filled with risk and anxiety. Certain individuals’ risk being victims of human trafficking and other types of exploitation. Some people are taken into custody by the government when they land in a new nation.
Many immigrants experience racism, xenophobia, and prejudice daily once they settle in and start a new life. Since you have lost the social networks that most of us take for granted (towns, coworkers, families, and friends), you may wind up feeling lonely and alone.
Who is a migrant?
There is no universally precise legal definition of what constitutes a migrant. Migrants are people residing outside of their place of origin but are not refugees or asylum seekers. For instance, some migrants leave their country to work, study, or be with family.
Others leave because of their country’s extreme poverty, political upheaval, gang violence, natural disasters, or other dire conditions. Many people would face danger if they returned home despite not meeting the legal definition of a refugee.
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As a migrant, you have all your human rights protected and respected. Even if you do not flee persecution, your life must be protected in the country you move to. Governments protect all migrants from xenophobic and racist violence, exploitation, and forced labor. Never should migrants be imprisoned or made to return home without a good reason.
Benefits of accepting asylum seekers and Immigrants
1. They bring productivity.
There is a misconception that asylum seekers and immigrants come into a host country and enjoy benefits instead of working. Though not every country allows refugees to work, those who allow this know how productive immigrants are.
Although they can use their credentials in other countries, they start from the ground and are effective at what they do. Economic advisor, Phillipe Legrain, estimates that 1,000 asylees businesses could generate $100 million each year. If host countries loosen restrictions and allow refugees to expand their job opportunities, it will significantly improve the economies of host countries.
This also requires making language learning classes and integration courses more accessible, but in the long run, the rewards outweigh the cost. Countries that allow refugees to work and open up businesses know that the influx of productivity is one of the major benefits of taking in asylees.
2. They enrich culture.
Some fear that accepting asylees means that the native culture will disappear. For instance, events like the annual Festival of Nations, run by the International Institute, exposes St. Louis residents to other global cultures and also help immigrants feel more at home.
Even though there are differences between each culture, most cultures are incredibly similar at their core. Refugees are fleeing the same things ordinary citizens fear: families being torn apart, the right to vote being taken away, lack of education, and more.
Refugees enrich rather than undermine the culture of their host countries. They bring various traditions, foods, and faiths with them, and in the end, everyone shares similar goals.
3. They stimulate the economy
One of the numerous advantages of accepting asylum is economic activity. Allowing refugees into a country necessitates an upfront commitment. Lodging, language education, healthcare, and food will be provided. Though these items are expensive to offer, once refugees are settled in their host nation, the initial investment pays off.
Refugees establish enterprises that create jobs, pay taxes, and build wealth. Young refugees entering the labor field in nations with an aging workforce supplement their job. This allows them to retire while simultaneously paying into social security or pension systems.
4. They bring skill sets and knowledge
Asylees bring skills natives may not have. Many hold professional credentials from their own countries. Most asylees have a high level of adaptability, which is essential in any industry.
Furthermore, diverse firms have higher revenues, collaboration, and retention than organizations that are not as varied. But hosting refugees is not the only option to become more diverse, the experiences, talents, and perspectives they offer is advantageous.
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Final thoughts
Resistance to accepting asylees is often due to misconceptions. Natives worry about the disturbance of their economy and culture. In reality, asylees and refugees boost the economy, enrich culture, and supplement the labor force.
With a better awareness of the benefits of hosting refugees, countries around the world should be more accommodating of asylees, seeing each side stands to benefit.
