Asylum seekers and refugees in Britain: What brings asylum seekers to the United Kingdom?

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Abstract
This is the first in a series of three articles Asylum seekers and refugees have been the subject of much media and political attention over recent months, but they are often misrepresented. In the first paper in this series we discuss the reasons that cause people to go into exile and the situation in which they find themselves as refugees in the United Kingdom. In subsequent papers we will examine the health needs of refugees, appropriate care and responses, the specific health effects of torture and organised violence, the needs of health workers, and the structural organisation of health services. The term refugee is used to include people at all stages of the asylum process. The various definitions of refugee status are given in the box below. #### Definitions of refugee status Asylum seeker—asylum claim submitted, awaiting Home Office decision Refugee status (accepted as a refugee under the Geneva Convention)—given leave to remain in the UK for four years, and can then apply for settled status (Indefinite leave to remain, see below). Eligible for family reunion for one spouse and all children under 18 years Indefinite leave to remain (ILR)—given permanent residence in Britain indefinitely. Eligible for family reunion only if able to support family without recourse to public funding Exceptional leave to remain (ELR)—the Home Office accepts there are strong reasons why the person should not return to the country of origin and grants the right to stay in Britain for four years. Expected to return if the home country situation improves. Ineligible for family reunion Refusal—the person has a right of appeal, within strict time limits Britain, as a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention, and for many years before this, has offered asylum to those fleeing from persecution and violence. Under the terms of the Convention, a refugee is defined as any person …