KEEP IT REAL

     Any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last resided, and is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The legal status of refugee lasts for five years, and after that the former refugees become permanent residents.

 

     The definition of a refugee is significant because it has special legal implications. Refugees are entitled to certain rights, while in camps and when resettled in other countries. However, these rights are few. None of the Somali-Bantu we tutor are any longer “refugees” but are instead permanent resident aliens.