why aren't you active here in USA?

The Government lawyer asked these questions of Mr. E, from Ethiopia, who claimed his government tortured him because of his political opinion:

-when did you join the political party? why? what did you do? did you ask people for donations? sell things to earn money? distribute pamphlets and papers? invite people to meetings/rallies/demonstrations?

-do you know your own history? can you repeat your story, chronologically? do you know what happened before what? the first demonstration was before the election, or after?

-why did you wait so long to join a group here in USA? aren't your political opinions important to you? what activities did you do, here in the USA, that your government is aware of? why do you think your government is aware of your activities? maybe they are bored with you. Are you a big shot? are you important?

-at the time of your arrest, what words did the officer say? what else did he say? what language did he speak? can you repeat his words?

-what physical harm did YOU suffer? do not tell me about others; tell me about you, yourself.
-you had no problems at the airport, when you left your country? why weren't you arrested at the airport? did you pay a bribe? how much? how did you pay the bribe?

-did you tell your friend about your problems in the old country? what did you tell him? did you tell your friend about your activities here in USA? what did you tell him?
-tell me about your passport: when was it issued? where did you travel? how did you get a visa?
-how were you able to travel?
-did someone in the USA attempt to verify your story, by contacting someone in your country?
why not?

why does the Judge want an overseas investigation?

The GAO issued a study in September 2008 entitled "US Asylum System." The study presents survey results from a large number of immigration judges:

1. 29% said they believed there was fraud in half of asylum cases; 19% believed there was fraud in "most" asylum cases; 6% believed there was fraud in "all or almost all" cases. 29+19+6=54%.

2. a large number of judges reported there was "lack of overseas information" about the claim. The judges believe "it is the role of the ICE trial attorney or the asylum applicant to gather information from overseas agencies." [at page 67 of report]

3. 86% of judges reported that is would be "very useful" if an overseas investigation occurred.

CONCLUSION: a family member of each applicant should talk face-to-face with the US Embassy in his city, about the claim of applicant. The applicant should inform the US Embassy of the name, address, and phone number of the family member who wants to provide information.

why was a fatwa issued against you?

Questions asked of a liberal Muslim from Pakistan:

do you have any originals for me to look at? what is your ethnic group? what is a "liberal" muslim? when did you last leave your country? when did you last enter USA? what is your current immigration status in USA? can you prove you were in status?

Show me your passport! I want to look at every stamp in it. Did you examine your own passport before coming in here today? do you know all of your international travel? why not?

why didn't you leave your country faster and sooner? did you have trouble getting enough money together, for airplane tickets? to pay rent upon arrival in USA?

why didn't you apply for asylum faster, after you arrived here in USA? why the long delay? did you have trouble hiring a lawyer? did you have trouble getting corroboration?

did you receive any letters from your old country? where are the envelopes? did the letters really travel from far away?
Why was the Fatwa translated in Pakistan, and not in USA? when did you first find out about the fatwa? how did you find out? why was it issued? how do people in Pakistan know it was issued? how do they find out?

did you ever hear of another fatwa? tell me the year/city/circumstances!
what is the "law" in Pakistan? is there a "religious" law? what does it say? who is the expounder of the fatwa? what is a mufti? can anyone challenge his opinion? did you ever hear of a fatwa that was issued, and then later it was changed or withdrawn?
In Pakistan, can a female go to the mesjid?
who would harm you? the government? your family? who exactly is angry at you?
Is there anything else? OK, we are done. Is there anything else?
is "internal relocation" possible for you? were you "firmly resettled" in another country before arriving here in USA?