1. U.S. Asylum and Refugee Protection
Photos courtesy of UNHCR

2. USCIS Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Mission
The Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate leverages its domestic and overseas presence to provide protection, humanitarian, and other immigration benefits and services throughout the world, while combating fraud and protecting national security.

3. A Comparison: U.S. Humanitarian Programs
Applicants in the U.S. or at a Port-of-Entry.
Asylum seekers may apply regardless of country of origin.
No quotas or limits on approvals.
ASYLUM PROGRAM
Applicants overseas.
Overall admissions ceiling and regional quotas established by President.
To apply, individuals must be designated as “of special humanitarian concern” to the United States.
REFUGEE PROGRAM
Provides protection to qualified refugees who are already in the United States or are seeking entry into the United States at a port of entry.
Asylum-seekers may apply for asylum in the U.S. regardless of their countries of origin.
No quotas on the number of individuals who may apply or who may be granted each year.
Provides protection to qualified refugees overseas by offering permanent resettlement to the U.S.
Overall admissions ceiling and regional quotas established each FY by President and Congress.
To apply, individuals must be designated as of special humanitarian concern.

4. Role of USCIS as Decision Maker
USCIS officers conduct personal interviews with applicants to determine eligibility, generally with an interpreter.
Refugee Corps established in FY2006; Asylum Corps established in 1991.
All refugee and asylum adjudicators must complete specialized training. 4 4

5. Refugee Definition INA 101(a)(42)
Persons outside their country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return because of persecution, or a well-founded fear of persecution, on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.*  
* Excludes persecutors or those who have assisted in the persecution of others. 5

6. U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
The President, in consultation with Congress, establishes the number and groups of refugees eligible for admission each fiscal year. This determination sets the maximum numbers for admission but is often viewed as a target.
FY 2011
Ceiling
FY 2012
FY 2013
Africa
15,000
12,000
East Asia
19,000
18,000
17,000
Europe and Central Asia
2,000
Latin America/Caribbean
5,500
5,000
Near East/South Asia
35,500
31,000
Unallocated Reserve*
3,000
TOTAL
80,000
76,000
70,000 6

8. Worldwide Statistics FY2012 Accomplishments:
Allocated Ceiling
75,000
77,000
73,000
70,000
Applicants Interviewed
95,000
79,952
76,751
15,032*
Actual Admissions
73,311
56,424
58,238
18,235*
* Through first quarter (Oct-Dec 2012)
FY2012 Accomplishments:
Over 76,000 refugee applicants interviewed, including nearly 16,781 Iraqis.
Completed 107 circuit rides, deploying 100+ officers each quarter.
58,238 refugees from 66 nations were admitted, including 12,163 Iraqis.
Improved and streamlined security vetting procedures to mitigate the effect on refugee admissions without compromising integrity/security. 8

9. Asylum Receipts and Pending Workload

10. Affirmative Asylum Process and Timeline
Initial Filing days days 60 days 180 days
Applicant files Form I-589 at the USCIS Service Center within one year of last arrival to the United States.
Background checks initiated and interview notice mailed
Applicant is interviewed at one of the eight Asylum Offices, unless applicant lives far away and the interview is conducted at a circuit ride location.
Asylum officer recommends decision; 100% supervisory review (and in some cases Headquarters review) before final decision issued.
Applicants whose cases have been referred to the Immigration Court receive a de novo hearing of their claim.

11. RAIO Domestic Presence

12. Benefits of Asylum and Refugee Status

13. FY2013 Challenges Workload increase in asylum context.
Access to refugee applicants and uncertain security situation overseas.
Health and safety concerns of officers.
Continued focus on improving and streamlining security checks.
Photo courtesy of UNHCR