Asylum seeking is a type of migration where individuals flee their home country due to fear of persecution. Reasons for persecution can be based on:
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Membership in a particular social group
- Political opinion
Asylum seekers often seek protection in a new country where they feel safe.
Countries have processes in place to determine whether an individual qualifies for asylum. If granted, they can remain in the host country and potentially become permanent residents.
Unlike other forms of migration, asylum seekers often have no prior connections in the new country, making it less likely for them to immediately create ethnic communities. However, in the long term, as more individuals from the same country seek asylum, they might form communities.