小作文练习：Asylum-seekers 

来源:环球教育网 www.ielts.com.cn 2005-5-30

    Asylum-seekers 

    Apr 28th 2005 
    From The Economist print edition

    The number of people seeking political asylum in rich countries fell by around 22% between 2003 and 2004. In the Netherlands, applications have dropped by 27%, thanks to tougher policies. The United States, which was the top destination for     asylum-seekers in 2003, saw a 29% decline in new applicants last year. Applications rose in France, which entertained more pleas for asylum than any other rich country in 2004. Russia, for the second year in a row, produced more asylum-seekers than any other country.