What is Asylum?

While today's concept is shrouded in modern legal and political language, the right of asylum is an ancient one. The principle states that citizens have the right to flee their homes and seek refuge when they are under persecution. Since then, the right of asylum has been codified in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Today, most nations extend various legal protections to asylum-seekers.

People can seek asylum on several grounds, such as persecution based on race, religion, class, gender, nationality, or political affiliation. In addition, people are more likely to flee and seek asylum during times of war, strife, or political upheaval. These people are faced with a difficult choice, as seeking asylum can often mean a harrowing journey without the possibility of returning home.

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and serving displaced people throughout the world. Our staff helps make the asylum-seeking process easier and prevent further exploitation. We partner directly with the UN Refugee Agency to deploy expert staff where we are most needed. To find out more about ICMC, visit our website.

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.