2014 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: Asylum Statistics
Jennifer Koh posted a link to the 2014 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, which was recently released by the Department of Homeland Security. I have been posting on various statistics and have highlighted data in the 2014 Yearbook that I find interesting.
So far, I have offered some data and thoughts on removals, lawful immigrants, and refugees. This post is on asylum statistics.
The overseas refugee program allows noncitizens who fear persecution to seek admission into the United States as a refugee. The President, in consultation with Congress, establishes annual numbers for refugee admissions. The immigration laws also allow noncitizens in the United States who fear persecution if returned to their native country to be granted asylum in the United States.
Applicants can file affirmative applications for asylum with an Asylum Officer before any removal proceedings are filed. Alternatively, a noncitizen may file defensively for asylum in attempting to defend against removal in a removal proceeding.
Asylum Grants Affirmative Defensive Total
2010 11,209 8,519 19,728
2011 13,398 10,137 23,535
2012 17,499 10,715 28,115
2013 15,155 9,945 25,100
2014 14,758 8,775 23,533
Page 43 (Table 16)
China appeared to be the country with the most successful affirmative and defensive asylum applications.
KJ