The top sources of asylum seekers in the United States (2024)

Key takeaways:

  • The top 11 nations accounted for 73% of the total asylum seekers in 2024, with each nation contributing more than 100,000 asylum seekers.
  • Venezuela (620,074) ranks first as the source country with the most asylum seekers in 2024.
  • Latin American countries dominate the top 11 list, with eight out of the eleven countries originating from the region.
  • Asian countries (China and India) make up a smaller share of the leading asylum-seeking populations.
  • Venezuela is the sole country of origin with an asylum seeker count exceeding 600,000 in 2024.

In 2024, Venezuela (620,074) registered the highest total of asylum seekers under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees's (UNHCR) mandate, topping the list of the eleven countries with the most significant displaced populations. Following closely are Colombia and Cuba, with 250,260 and 218,225 asylum seekers respectively.

 

Central American countries also experienced notable trends in asylum-seeking, with over 464,000 asylum seekers altogether from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Mexico recorded 173,388 citizens seeking refuge abroad, along with Nicaragua (144,767).

 

In addition to the Americas leading the list of the eleven countries with the highest asylum seeker numbers in 2024, China (147,909) and India (125,897) emerged as significant sources from Asia, indicating notable asylum-seeking movements. Meanwhile, over 170,000 asylum seekers were reported from Haiti.

Source:

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Period:

2024
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