I don't see how refugee status would work if it were only extended to citizens. The basic idea is that you ask one country to protect you from another, and the

I don't see how refugee status would work if it were only extended to citizens. The basic idea is that you ask one country to protect you from another, and the country you want protection from is usually the one you have citizenship in ( https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum ): "Refugees are generally people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm. ... "You may seek a referral for refugee status only from outside of the United States. ... "Asylum status is a form of protection available to people who: * Meet the definition of refugee * Are already in the United States * Are seeking admission at a port of entry "You may apply for asylum in the United States regardless of your country of origin or your current immigration status."