The Refugee Act of 1980

The Refugee Act of 1980 is a key U.S. law that established a formal process for admitting refugees into the country. It defined who qualifies as a refugee—people unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The Act allows for a systematic way to apply for asylum and integrates refugees into American society. It aimed to align U.S. refugee policies with international norms and emphasizes humanitarian protection, contributing to a more organized response to global refugee crises.