What are the primary forces driving the growth in populations of refugees and asylum seekers around the world? How have the United States and other countries responded to petitions from asylum seekers and refugees for safety, protection, and economic opportunity, both historically and in the present day? What falsehoods about refugees and asylum seekers are commonly held among American citizens? What are the main US laws and policies governing treatment of asylum seekers and refugees seeking to enter and stay in the United States? This comprehensive one-stop resource provides readers with quantifiable, fact-based answers to these and many other questions

Arranged in subject-specific chapters devoted to topics ranging from the countries of origin of most refugees and asylum seekers to the extent of their integration/assimilation in US and European nations and communities, this book gives readers in-depth insights into the true impact on refugees and asylum seekers of US policies, practices, and public attitudes.