What are "defensive asylum applications"?

Defensive asylum applications refer specifically to the requests made by individuals who are already in the United States and are seeking protection because they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries. This category of asylum applications typically arises in the context of removal proceedings, where individuals might argue that returning to their country would subject them to harm based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

In this situation, the individual contends that they need asylum as a defense against being deported. This is distinct from affirmative asylum applications, which individuals can file proactively, typically outside of removal proceedings. Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the nature of defensive asylum applications as they relate to individuals actively seeking refuge while already present in the U.S.