Refugee, Amerasian, and "Entrant" Populations Admitted to the United States Between 1983 and 2007

Detailed data on arrivals are not available prior to the establishment of the refugee database in 1983. 

Refugees are foreigners residing outside of the United States who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin or nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion. Once approved, a principal applicant, either alone or with his/her close family (spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21), is eligible to come to the United States through the refugee resettlement program. 

Ameriasians are children born in Vietnam to Vietnamese mothers and American fathers and are admitted under the Ameriasian Homecoming Act of 1988. They are admitted as legal permanent residents but these immigrants and their family members are entitled to the same services and benefits as those who arrive under the refugee program. Between 1988 and 2007, 76,024 Vietnamese were admitted under the Ameriasian Homecoming Act. In FY 2007, only 64 Ameriasians were admitted. 

Cuban and Haitian "entrants" are nationals of these two countries who are (a) paroled into the United States; (b) subject to deportation proceedings, or (c) applicants for asylum. They admitted and eligible for the same services and benefits as refugees under the refugee program under the Cuban/Haitian Entrant Program under Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. In FY 2007, 17,294 Cuban entrants and 147 Haitian entrants were admitted under this program.