asylum seeker

[uh-sahy-luhm see-ker]

noun

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

asylum seeker

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of asylum seeker¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

“They say it is a detention center. It is a prison with a name change,” said an asylum seeker who arrived weeks earlier from Golden State Annex in McFarland.

From Los Angeles Times

Tensions first flared in July when Kebatu, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman.

From BBC

Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel since the start of summer after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu sexually assaulted a woman and 14-year-old girl in the town.

From BBC

One asylum seeker told the BBC he had taken a 250-mile journey to visit a GP, with the driver telling him the cost to the Home Office was £600.

From BBC

Sonali Naik KC, who represented the asylum seeker, said the judge was "entitled to grant the order in the urgent circumstances he did, for the reasons he gave and for the period he did".

From BBC