Asylees (Archive)

Asylees are granted permission to remain in the U.S. because of fear of persecution in the home country due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Asylee status is granted to people already present in the U.S.

Note:  People whose removal has been withheld have a similar status to asylees.

Funding Source.

Status Adjustment.

Verification Requirements.

Other Considerations.

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Funding Source

People who have been granted asylum are potentially eligible for federally funded health care (Medical Assistance with federal financial participation, or MinnesotaCare program LL or FF) regardless of date of entry or length of time in the U.S. They are also potentially eligible for Refugee Assistance Program funding.

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Status Adjustment

Consider people originally admitted as asylees who later adjust to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status to remain asylees for purposes of their health care eligibility. See Changes in Immigration Status.

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Verification Requirements

Require one of the following:

l  USCIS form I-94 annotated with a stamp showing a grant of asylum.

l  Grant letter from the Asylum Office of the USCIS.

l  USCIS form I-688B annotated 274a.12(a)(5).

l  USCIS form I-766 annotated A5.

l  Order from an immigration judge granting asylum.

l  I-571 Refugee Travel Document.

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Other Considerations

Applicants for asylum would be considered to be lawfully present in the U.S. while the application was pending. See Other Lawfully Present Noncitizens for further information.

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