Some people are welcomed to the United States as refugees. Under U.S. law, you are a refugee when you are located outside of the U.S., when you are of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. government, and when you can demonstrate that you are in fear of persecution due to your:

• Race
• Religion
• Political beliefs
• Nationality

You are not considered a "refugee" if you have ever ordered, incited, assisted, or participated in the persecution of another person due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinions or membership in a particular social group.

Understanding the Refugee Process

If you are interested in coming to the U.S. as a refugee, you will have to receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to be considered as a refugee. If you receive a referral, you will be interviewed abroad by an officer from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

What does my case include? You may be able to include your spouse, any unmarried children under 21 years-of-age, and in limited circumstances, other family members. You will not be charged a fee to apply for refugee status, and the information that you provide the USCIS will not be shared with your native country.

If You Are Approved as a Refugee

If you are ultimately approved as a refugee, there are some steps that you will have to take. You will need a medical exam, a cultural orientation, and you will receive help arranging your travel plans to the U.S.., and a loan to cover the costs of the trip.

Once you arrive on U.S. soil, you'll be eligible to receive medical and cash assistance. If you wish to have family overseas join you, you need to file Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition for your spouse and unmarried children who are under 21.

To learn more about coming to the U.S. as a refugee, reach out to an immigration attorney in our directory.