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

She added: "It is right that if you're a failed asylum seeker, the fact that you have a child under 18 is not a reason why you should remain here in supported asylum accommodation forever more."

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She gave the example of an asylum seeker who was being given £800 a month by his family and had bought an Audi.

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This would be a huge reduction in spending - even given cuts in recent years, the aid budget stood at around £14bn last year, including just under £3bn spent on asylum seeker accommodation within the UK.

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Mahmood told MPs this would "end the absurdity where an asylum seeker receiving £800 a month from his family and an Audi was receiving free housing at the taxpayer's expense and the courts judged we could do nothing about it".

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It would be "discretionary", meaning the government could deny assistance to any asylum seeker who could work or support themselves but did not, or those who committed crimes.

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