Asylum seeker meaning :

An asylum seeker is a non-citizen undergoing asylum proceedings. This applies to individuals who have fled their country of origin due to persecution based on their race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. In search of safety, they seek refuge in another country where they hope to obtain the necessary protection to seek safety and protect their family.

Unlike an already admitted asylum beneficiary, asylum seekers do not yet have a specific status. They are still awaiting a decision from the immigration authorities of the host country. These services still need to verify their story and true motivation. It should be noted that each country is free to issue reservations regarding the application of certain articles of the Geneva Convention on its territory, at the expense of its own legislation regarding immigration law, labor, or nationality code.

When an asylum seeker arrives in the country where they wish to seek refuge, they must immediately approach the competent authority, whether at the airport or at a border checkpoint. If they are already on the territory and facing deportation proceedings, they can request asylum from the immigration judge, thus triggering a defensive asylum application process.

In this context, the children and spouse of an asylum seeker are granted the same status as the asylum seeker. However, their request must be approved and filed by the principal applicant. This is the only condition that allows them to benefit from the protection offered by the asylum seeker status and access the same rights and privileges.

Etymology of Asylum Seeker

The term “asylum seeker” comes from the Latin word “asylum,” meaning “sanctuary” or “place of refuge,” and the English verb “seek,” which means “to search” or “to seek.” An asylum seeker thus refers to a person seeking shelter or protection. In the field of immigration, this notion is associated with seeking refuge from persecution or danger in one’s country of origin.