What is the refugee policy?

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a refugee is an alien who, generally, has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Which protocol defines who a refugee is and how they should be treated?

The 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees is an international treaty. It is to be read alongside the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (known as the Refugee Convention).

What is a refugee community?

In order to be designated as refugees by the United States, they must have a well-founded fear of persecution in their countries of origin because of race, region, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

What is the purpose of asylum policy?

Asylum is a form of protection which allows an individual to remain in the United States instead of being removed (deported) to a country where he or she fears persecution or harm. Under U.S. law, people who flee their countries because they fear persecution can apply for asylum.

Why is it important to protect refugees?

Welcoming those in need of refuge is a fundamental part of our national story. Refugee resettlement helps make the US a global leader in protecting human rights and sets an example that the rest of the world heeds and emulates.

What is the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees?

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that form the basis of our work. With 149 State parties to either or both, they define the term ‘refugee’ and outlines the rights of refugees, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect them.

When was the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees adopted?

The Protocol was taken note of with approval by the Economic and Social Council in resolution 1186 (XLI) of 18 November 1966 and was taken note of by the General Assembly in resolution 2198 (XXI) of 16 December 1966.

What is the best definition of a refugee?

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones.

What is the EU policy on refugees?

The ministers promised to guarantee the refugees at least 12 months of residency in any EU nation, and provide them with lodging and health care, school for their children and the right to work.

How can we protect the rights of refugees?

By going through status determination processes and potentially being recognized as a refugee, individuals are legally protected by being granted legal documents that are issued from their country of asylum and are valid for a certain period of time, usually not less that one year at a time.

How do we protect refugees?

Find out more

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 14), which states that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries.
2. The 1951 UN Refugee Convention (and its 1967 Protocol), which protects refugees from being returned to countries where they risk being persecuted.

What is the difference between Convention and protocol?

A convention is a formal agreement between states and is usually an instrument negotiated under an international organisation. A protocol is one of the ways in which a convention can be modified. The amendments by protocols are not binding on all the states that have ratified the original convention.

How do you reference Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees?

Treaties should be cited from the Final Act (if that appears before the text of the treaty itself). An example is the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: the Final Act appears at 189 UNTS 137, while the text of the treaty itself begins at 189 UNTS 150. The correct citation for the treaty is 189 UNTS 137.

Why is the definition of a refugee important?

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

What are the main reasons for refugees?

People become refugees for a number of different reasons, including:

• Persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
• War.
• Ethnic or political violence.