Country of Origin and
Legal Information

The legal unit informs government officials, attorneys, and non-governmental organizations in the U.S. and the Caribbean about international standards of refugee protection. The section provides comments on proposed legislation and regulations and monitors compliance with international standards and conducts training sessions for governments and non-governmental organizations.

The legal unit also assists asylum-seekers and their representatives with information on country conditions and on laws, policies and procedures pertaining to refugees, and may issue advisory opinions in cases of significant impact.

The legal unit facilitates the voluntary repatriation of refugees who are no longer in need of international protection. It also assists in the protection of asylum seekers in other countries who are at risk of refoulement (forced return).