Legal definition of Asylee

In immigration law, the term “refugee” refers to foreigners who are asylum beneficiaries. It thus designates a person who has made an asylum application and has received a favorable response, thereby being authorized to stay in the host country. With this status, international law grants them protection rights so that they feel secure in relation to the persecution they have endured in their country of origin.

To properly understand the meaning of the word “asylee,” it is important to differentiate it from the term “migrant.” The latter is used to refer to individuals who leave or have fled their homes to go to new places, usually abroad. It also encompasses people seeking opportunities or safer and better prospects in a country other than their country of origin. In both cases, migration can be voluntary or involuntary, but it often involves a combination of choices and constraints.

When asylum status is granted, the beneficiary enjoys a number of rights. International law confers upon them the right to stay indefinitely in the country where they have sought asylum, subject to fulfilling the obligations associated with this status. Additionally, they may apply for a work permit to support themselves and, in some cases, apply for permanent resident status after one year, thus providing long-term security. The international convention also protects dependents, including spouses and minor children.

Etymology of Asylee

The term “asylee” derives from the Latin word “asylum,” which means “sanctuary” or “refuge.” In English, “asylum” originally referred to a sanctuary or place of refuge, often in a religious context. Over time, its meaning expanded to include a place offering protection and refuge to those fleeing persecution or danger, and it eventually became associated with individuals granted refuge or protection in a foreign country, giving rise to the term “asylee.”