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Table 17. Individuals Granted Asylum Affirmatively by Region and Country of Nationality: Fiscal Years 2015 to 2017

The 2017 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics is a compendium of tables that provide data on foreign nationals who are granted lawful permanent residence (i.e., immigrants who receive a “green card”), admitted as temporary nonimmigrants, granted asylum or refugee status, or are naturalized. The Yearbook also presents data on immigration enforcement actions, including apprehensions and arrests, removals, and returns.

Table 17. Individuals Granted Asylum Affirmatively By Region Of Nationality: Fiscal Years 2015 To 2017
Region of Nationality 2015 2016 2017
   Total 17,818 11,582 16,045
Africa 3,788 2,091 2,892
Asia 6,593 4,334 5,814
Europe 726 477 692
North America 5,759 4,139 5,912
Oceania 4 7 5
South America 901 506 697
Unknown 47 28 33

 

Table 17. Individuals Granted Asylum Affirmatively By Country Of Nationality: Fiscal Years 2015 To 2017
Country of Nationality 2015 2016 2017
   Total 17,818 11,582 16,045
Afghanistan 158 79 90
Albania 22 7 19
Algeria 7 4 6
Angola 36 7 14
Armenia 46 12 34
Azerbaijan 16 14 19
Bahrain D - D
Bangladesh 131 44 108
Belarus 72 17 35
Bolivia 4 4 D
Brazil 30 17 30
Bulgaria 12 4 5
Burkina Faso 42 29 58
Burma 45 11 18
Burundi 75 47 39
Cameroon 106 47 85
Central African Republic 14 4 11
Chad 10 7 8
China, People's Republic 2,579 1,380 2,835
Colombia 243 73 75
Congo, Democratic Republic 69 38 62
Congo, Republic 62 30 63
Cote d'Ivoire 39 16 35
Cuba 6 4 D
Djibouti 46 39 17
Dominican Republic 7 3 D
Ecuador 137 82 67
Egypt 1,513 679 1,021
El Salvador 1,859 1,381 2,140
Eritrea 245 253 349
Ethiopia 616 302 292
Fiji 4 7 5
Gambia 80 63 87
Georgia 22 27 27
Ghana 5 12 5
Guatemala 1,698 1,287 2,028
Guinea 61 28 56
Guyana 3 - 4
Haiti 347 109 57
Honduras 1,098 857 1,115
India 177 165 223
Indonesia 13 13 33
Iran 639 376 319
Iraq 696 587 468
Israel D 10 20
Jamaica 41 25 38
Jordan 48 38 52
Kazakhstan 71 45 47
Kenya 57 30 76
Kosovo 51 15 35
Kuwait 14 7 11
Kyrgyzstan 99 67 101
Laos D D 5
Lebanon 23 29 29
Liberia 43 29 43
Libya 47 40 24
Macedonia 4 D 4
Madagascar - - -
Malaysia 3 D D
Mali 69 39 21
Mauritania 52 32 38
Mexico 657 449 488
Moldova 68 67 55
Mongolia 41 29 35
Morocco 9 6 5
Nepal 359 234 153
Nicaragua 32 19 30
Niger 4 13 14
Nigeria 98 69 130
Pakistan 267 267 256
Peru 18 9 26
Philippines 4 9 7
Romania D 8 11
Russia 305 204 290
Rwanda 67 54 73
Saudi Arabia 39 46 63
Senegal 9 10 23
Serbia and Montenegro (former) 16 8 18
Sierra Leone 14 6 16
Somalia 16 13 13
Sri Lanka 30 21 32
Sudan 103 48 66
Syria 864 644 626
Tajikistan 17 19 8
Tanzania 3 D 5
Togo 24 16 16
Tunisia 8 10 3
Turkey 17 11 20
Turkmenistan 10 7 15
Uganda 82 46 65
Ukraine 144 125 199
United Arab Emirates 15 13 18
Uzbekistan 63 69 52
Venezuela 465 318 488
Vietnam 12 8 16
Yemen 59 41 51
Zimbabwe 33 14 31
All other countries 1 80 45 82
Unknown 47 28 33

D Data withheld to limit disclosure.
- Represents zero.
1 Includes countries with fewer than 10 individuals granted asylum affirmatively per year.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Last Updated: 11/22/2023
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