Increasing Number of US Citizens Seeking Asylum in the UK
Rising Asylum Applications and Approval Rates
Surprise figures reveal that a significant number of US citizens have been seeking asylum in the UK, with one in seven claims being granted. According to analysis conducted by The Mirror, a total of 434 Americans have applied for refugee status between 2014 and last spring, resulting in dozens being given leave to remain in the country. Noteworthy cases include a boy under 18 and a man in his 50s or 60s, whose asylum requests were approved early last year.
Statistics and Expert Insights
Home Office statistics indicate that over the past decade, 59 individuals from the US have been granted refugee status or similar protections, while an additional six were provided with other forms of leave to remain. This equates to an almost 15% success rate for asylum claims from US citizens. Immigration expert Prof Thom Brooks expressed surprise at the increasing number of Americans applying for asylum, highlighting discrepancies in the granting of asylum to individuals from countries considered safe.
Prof Brooks further questioned the criteria used to determine ‘safe’ countries for asylum seekers, particularly noting the approval of claims from nationals of close allies. During Donald Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2020, 171 asylum claims were filed by Americans, with 35 applications in 2022 alone, resulting in nine approvals. The inconsistencies in determining safe countries have raised concerns about the efficacy of existing asylum policies and the potential repercussions in the future.
Official Responses and Perspectives
In response to inquiries, a US embassy spokeswoman emphasized the UK’s sovereign right to grant asylum based on internal processes and individual circumstances, redirecting further questions to the UK government. Tim Naor Hilton, chief executive of Refugee Action, highlighted the fundamental right of individuals to a fair hearing when seeking asylum, regardless of their nationality or manner of arrival in the UK.
While the US is categorized as a safe nation by the Home Office, allowing for the return of individuals whose asylum claims are rejected, it is speculated that the majority of successful applicants are closely linked to other successful asylum seekers from different countries. A Home Office spokeswoman emphasized the careful consideration of all asylum applications based on their unique merits, clarifying that granting asylum does not imply a blanket assumption of safety in an individual’s home country.
FAQs
1. Why are US citizens seeking asylum in the UK?
US citizens have been increasingly seeking asylum in the UK due to various reasons such as political instability, personal safety concerns, or persecution in their home country.
2. What percentage of asylum claims from US citizens have been successful?
Almost 15% of asylum claims from US citizens have been successful, according to recent figures.
3. How has the approval rate for US asylum claims fluctuated over the years?
The approval rate for US asylum claims has varied, with 171 claims during Donald Trump’s presidency and 35 claims in 2022, leading to nine successful applications.
4. What concerns have experts raised regarding the granting of asylum to Americans?
Experts have raised concerns about the inconsistent criteria for determining ‘safe’ countries and the potential implications of such decisions on future asylum policies.
5. What is the UK government’s stance on granting asylum to individuals from various nationalities?
The UK government carefully considers asylum applications from individuals of diverse nationalities based on their individual circumstances, without assuming the safety of their home countries.
6. How does the US embassy view the UK’s asylum processes?
The US embassy recognizes the UK’s sovereign right to grant asylum and defers inquiries regarding asylum determinations to the UK government.
