What is an asylum seeker?

An asylum seeker is specifically defined as someone who is seeking international protection because they are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This persecution can be based on various factors, such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The status of asylum seeker is a crucial step in the process for individuals seeking asylum, as they must often present their case to a government authority in a foreign country.

The other options do not accurately describe what an asylum seeker is. For instance, someone who migrates for better opportunities is often referred to as an economic migrant rather than an asylum seeker. Legal citizens in a foreign country are generally referred to as expatriates or foreign nationals but do not fall under the category of asylum seekers. Additionally, moving within one's own country for work pertains to internal migration and does not relate to the circumstances of seeking asylum. Thus, the definition of an asylum seeker is distinctly tied to the aspect of fleeing persecution, which is why this description is accurate.