ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the range of legislation and policy that currently shapes practice in and around the whole area of asylum and immigration. It considers how different definitions are applied to different people at different times during the asylum process and that these definitions confer a particular status on people which in turn determines the rights they have at that time. It also discusses how ideology appears to play a large part in this area, and we have concluded by reminding ourselves that social work and other caring professions have a significant role to play in relation to asylum and immigration.
