asylum seeker

American  

[uh-sahy-luhm see-ker] / əˈsaɪ ləm ˌsi kər /

noun

asylum seekers plural

1. a person, especially a political fugitive, who applies for refuge or asylum in a foreign country or its embassy.

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asylum seeker British  

noun

1. a person who, from fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, social group, or political opinion, has crossed an international frontier into a country in which he or she hopes to be granted refugee status

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• asylum seekers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of asylum seeker

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

We are used to seeing one very visible element of many asylum claims – those arriving across the English Channel on small boats.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

But Home Office statisticians have noted a steep rise in asylum claims more generally from Pakistani nationals, as well as migrants from Bangladesh and India, on study or work visas in recent years.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

After gathering initial evidence, including tip-offs, we sent undercover reporters to investigate how willing immigration advisers were to help people make up false asylum claims.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

On Monday, a federal judge in California took a step that would allow a class-action lawsuit against the administration’s handling of certain asylum claims.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Only a small percentage of applicants win their asylum claims, and only after years of litigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026