Who Is a Refugee in Jordan? Hierarchies and Exclusions in the Refugee Recognition Regime

This article dissects the refugee recognition regime in Jordan. It argues that refugee recognition, despite being conducted by UNHCR, is a heavily politicized process shaped by intersecting racial and national hierarchies, restrictive government regulations, and UNHCR policies. Despite Jordan hosting the 'second highest share of refugees per capita in the world', relatively few protection seekers gain refugee status, and when they do, it is almost always as part of the resettlement process. Many remain asylum seekers for years or decades, while others cannot even register their claim for international protection with UNHCR. This article contributes to refugee studies by demonstrating how UNHCR policies are changing RSD in non-signatory states, the importance of asylum/refugee registration, how state and humanitarian policies lead to some protection seekers being missed in academic analyses, and highlighting the ever-growing gap between the legal and 'everyday' uses of the term 'refugee'.

Automated summary

This article discusses the refugee recognition regime in Jordan, highlighting its heavy politicization due to the influence of UNHCR, racial and national hierarchies, restrictive government regulations, and UNHCR policies. Despite hosting a significant number of refugees per capita, Jordan grants refugee status to only a small percentage of protection seekers, usually as part of the resettlement process. This article contributes to refugee studies by examining the impact of UNHCR policies on RSD in non-signatory states, emphasizing the importance of asylum/refugee registration, and shedding light on the growing disparity between the legal and everyday use of the term 'refugee'.