Mr. T, from Congo, was denied asylum

The court of appeals agreed with the Judge: no asylum for Mr. T, because:
1] he did not prove he was a member of the opposition party;
2] he was not active here in the USA;
3] he returned voluntarily to his country, after he was imprisoned;
4] his country gave him a passport, and let him leave his country with no problem
5] his wife, brothers and sisters, still live at peace in his country. So, go live with them! If they have learned how to live in peace, go live with them

Why Mr. M, from DRC was denied asylum

Judge Easterbrook denied asylum to Mr. M, who said he was beaten four times, because:

1. Mr. M was inconsistent; each time he repeated his story, he changed some details.
2. Mr. M did not give details about many things. "Liars tend to say less, and to provide fewer details."
3. Liars tend to distance themselves from their lies; they include fewer references to themselves; they do not state their own personal feelings.
4. Truthtellers know they have forgotten certain details and are happy to admit it.

5. some details have the "ring of truth:" "the guard who hit me had bad breath"
"the wall of my cell was light-brown."
6. What thoughts went through your mind? "as he pulled out his baton to hit me, I feared I would be crippled for life. I envisioned my friend John who is in a wheelchair."