Refugee status is a form of protection that may be granted to people who meet the U.S. legal definition of “refugee” who are not yet inside the U.S. or at a U.S. port of entry. Refugees may either be located in their home country or in a different country (but not permanently seeking resettlement in their current country).

Asylum status is a form of protection available to people who meet the U.S. legal definition of “refugee” and who are either already in the U.S. or are seeking admission at a U.S. border.