Which of the following is NOT a form of refoulement?

Providing asylum status to a refugee is not a form of refoulement because it constitutes an act of protection rather than a return. Refoulement is a term used to describe the forced return of individuals to a country where they may face persecution or serious harm. When an individual is granted asylum, they are being recognized as needing protection from such dangers, which directly opposes the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee law.

In contrast, the other options all describe scenarios that involve returning or turning away individuals who may be seeking protection, which aligns with the definition of refoulement. Deportation involves sending a refugee back to their home country, which may expose them to harm. The physical return of an individual to a state implies sending them back to a potentially unsafe environment. Rejection at the border also implies that individuals seeking refuge are denied entry and sent back, again placing them in harm's way. Thus, granting asylum is distinctly different as it aims to safeguard the individual from such risks.