Dozens of Americans, Canadians sought asylum in UK from 2004 to 2008

Dozens of Americans, Canadians sought asylum in UK

LONDON — British government figures show that dozens of Americans and Canadians have applied for asylum in the U.K. in the past few years on the grounds that they were persecuted in their own countries.

Home Office figures show 45 Americans and 15 Canadians tried to obtain asylum in Britain between 2004 to 2008.

The British government says all of the applicants were refused. The Home Office was unable to give information explaining why, saying only that all asylum seekers must prove they face persecution at home and that authorities there cannot address it properly.

The figures were made available to the Guardian newspaper, which published them Monday.