U.S. immigration - individuals granted asylum 1990-2021

Asylees are persons who sought residence in the United States in order to avoid persecution in their country of origin. Persons granted asylum applied either at a port of entry or at some point after their entry into the United States.
There are two ways in which to file for asylum, affirmatively or defensively. People who apply affirmatively are those who come to the U.S. either legally or illegally but have not been put into removal proceedings. They apply with the Asylum Office. If arrested and put into removal proceedings, however, an individual can apply defensively, that is with the Immigration Judge.

The fiscal year is the accounting period for the federal government which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends.