Which of the following statements best describes the difference between refugees and asylees seeking entrance to the united states? . a. refugees fear persecution in their countries of origin, while asylees fear arrest in their countries of origin. b. refugees seek protected entrance to the united states, while asylees are already in the united states. c. refugees are asylees who have gained entrance to the united states. d. refugees have entered the united states illegally, while asylees have entered the united states legally.

The correct answer is B. The difference between refugees and asylees is that refugees seek protected entrance to the United States, while asylees are already in the United States.

The cases of refugees and political asylees have the same causes, however, the processing of recognition of both status is very different.

Both the asylum and the refugee figure protect the same class of people. That is, people who can not or do not want to return to their country of origin because they have been persecuted or have reasonable reasons to become so.

To apply for refugee status it is mandatory to be outside the United States. In addition, the applicant has to be outside his country. To this last requirement there are very limited exceptions, expressly established by the President of the United States. At present, only Cubans, citizens of countries that were part of the Soviet Union and Iraq can apply for refugee status from within their own country.

On the contrary, asylum is requested either at a port of entry as soon as it arrives (airport, seaport or land border) before an immigration officer (CBP), or once into the United States.  In the latter case, the petition must be filed within the year following arrival in the country.