Since the 1990s, thousands of people have immigrated to Maryland seeking refugee status.  Immigration experts say the majority of these refugee and asylum seekers are coming from Vietnam or the former Soviet Union to find refuge and avoid persecution related to the Vietnam War or Cold War.

Over the past 20 years, more than 31,000 immigrants eligible for refugee status have settled in Maryland.  3,855 emmigrated from the USSR and 3,792 from Vietnam.  The most common reasons refugees feared prosecution include race, religion, nationality, political affiliation or other group affiliations.

According to the Office of Immigration Statistics, the U.S. does not always meet its refugee status cap.  In 2009, the cap for refugees entering the country was set at 80,000, however only 74,602 new refugees settled in the states.

Contact the Orange County refugee status lawyers of Garg & Associates P.C. at 949-540-6704 if you have questions about obtaining refugee status in California.