Asylum and refugee problems keep growing in United States and other countries

People from many countries come to the United States and claim that will face prosecution if they go back to their own countries. This is typical asylum case. Many countries in the world extend such assistance for people whose lives and properties are at risk in their return.

United States handles increasing number of asylum cases increasing each year for human rights protection. Some law firms have limited pro bono assistance programs for foreign national seeking asylum in the United States, and some nationals hire immigration attorney. However, there are others who cannot afford to pay legal fees starting from $3,000 charged by lawyers.

Afghans were on top of asylum applicants list in 2009

United Nations  High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) reports each year the asylum and refugee status in all countries. According to UNHCR report, 26,800 Afghans submitted asylum applications followed by Russians, Chinese, Serbians, and Nigerians. In 2009, there were 377,000 people seeking asylum on worldwide basis.

Detention centers are getting increasing number of asylum seekers and refugees each year

Asylum and refugee protection is secured under 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 1951 Protocol of the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. While these arrangements try to protect human rights all over the world, there are no specific timeframe and specific procedures in handling the asylum and refugee cases.

United States is protecting those political asylum seekers and refugees even if they do not have proper travel and identification documentation when such people face torture and persecution if they return to their home countries.

United States increases measures to protect borders

Due to increased threat of terrorism, United States and other major countries such as United Kingdom and Australia increased level of protection of borders affecting the number of asylum seekers and refugees entering the country.

Immigration reform will cover asylum and refugee status

After signing of the comprehensive health reform act on March 23, 2010, President Obama will focus on immigration reform. New immigration act will also cover issued to handle the status of refugees and asylum cases.