"10,000 Cubans crowded into the lushly landscaped gardens at the embassy requesting asylum. Other embassies, including those of Spain and Costa Rica, agreed to take a small number of people." An asylum-seeker must prove they faced persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinions

Based on the above statements and the story of the Mariel Boatlift, what does the vocabulary word, asylum mean?

A. what the boats were called that took the Cubans to other countries
B. asking for political protection from another country because they cannot return to their own country
C. a place where someone goes who is in need of medical care
D. an institution offering shelter and support to people who are mentally ill.