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Table 16. Individuals Granted Asylum Affirmatively or Defensively: Fiscal Years 1990 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 16. Individuals Granted Asylum Affirmatively Or Defensively: Fiscal Years 1990 To 2017
Year Total Affirmative Defensive
2017 26,568 16,045 10,523
2016 20,340 11,582 8,758
2015 26,011 17,818 8,193
2014 23,369 14,698 8,671
2013 24,996 15,229 9,767
2012 27,948 17,373 10,575
2011 23,569 13,431 10,138
2010 19,771 11,252 8,519
2009 22,303 12,003 10,300
2008 23,022 12,130 10,892
2007 25,318 12,459 12,859
2006 26,352 13,048 13,304
2005 25,304 13,547 11,757
2004 27,376 14,354 13,022
2003 28,743 15,367 13,376
2002 36,937 25,960 10,977
2001 39,148 29,147 10,001
2000 32,514 23,278 9,236
1999 26,571 18,150 8,421
1998 20,507 13,216 7,291
1997 22,939 16,380 6,559
1996 23,532 18,624 4,908
1995 20,703 17,573 3,130
1994 13,828 11,775 2,053
1993 9,543 7,509 2,034
1992 6,307 4,123 2,184
1991 5,035 2,908 2,127
1990 8,472 5,672 2,800

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice.

Last Updated: 11/22/2023
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