The United States has long been a leading haven for refugees from all over the world, but times have changed. Although the need is as great as ever, the number of people who are granted asylum or refugee status has fallen. America has begun closing its doors to many of the world's needy, who wait in distant refugee camps or border facilities for the chance of a new life. Rancorous policy debates have done little to settle the issues that lie at the center of this topic.