What is Asylum in a legal context?

In a legal context, asylum refers to the protection granted to individuals who have fled their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This persecution must be based on specific grounds, such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Individuals granted asylum are allowed to remain in the host country and cannot be returned to their homeland where they risk facing harm or discrimination. The process of seeking asylum typically involves legal procedures and evaluation of the individual’s situation, enabling them to find safety and stability in a new environment.

The other options presented do not accurately describe asylum. A type of visa for foreign workers is related to employment and does not pertain to protection from persecution. A permit for temporary residency implies a more general legal status without the specific implications of risk or fear that accompany asylum. Legal status for immigrants seeking business opportunities does not involve the humanitarian aspects of asylum, which focuses on protection from threats to life and safety rather than economic pursuits. Thus, the second option clearly embodies the essence of what asylum represents in legal terms.