Saturday, November 14, 2009

democracy activist from Bolivia

The Asylum Officer asked:
-tell me the dates of birth of each of your 3 children
what was your last job?
who prepared your application
why are you applying for asylum?
pl. show me all originals, all envelopes, and all passports
When did you first start having problems?
was your father politically active?
was your mother politically active?
Give me more details about her activities! [what would a movie camera record: she sat at a desk and made phone calls? she stood on the sidewalk and shouted slogans?]
When did you get politically involved? why?
what was your motive?
You wrote articles? give me an example of one article!
what kind of response did you get to your article?
Tell me your emotions when the bad guys walked into your house
You received phone threats? from whom? give me an example: what did the man say?
You believe they were agents of the government? why do you believe that?
What was their job/position in the government?
what was the worst threat over the phone?
Tell me as many details as possible! tell me your emotions!
What thoughts went through your mind at that time?
When did you move out of the house? where did you live during each month of the past five years?
Were you able to move around freely?
Why did you continue your activities, even though the threats were getting worse?
What was your husband doing all this time? was he able to continue to work?
Did he have any problems?
Why did your children visit you, if things were so bad in your city?
How did you get this letter? from the mail? from the hand of someone who flew here on an airplane? where is the envelope?
You received threats in January? but you only left your country in December? why the delay?
did it take time to get a visa, and to get money for airplane tickets?
Upon arrival here in USA, why not apply for asylum immediately? why another long delay?
was it hard to find a lawyer? did you have other problems here in USA, such as getting a place to live?
What emotions did husband feel about your activities?
What organizations did you join in your country? what is the purpose of each one?
What organizations did you join here in USA? why did you join? why have you still not joined?
How did you find out about the last threat? who callled you on the phone? how did that person find out?
What would happen if you return?
You lived in the city of La Paz? so, why don't you go live in another city?
You have been gone from your country for two years? they have forgotten about you, haven't they? after your arrival here in USA, you have been quiet and you have done nothing, correct?
If you have such strong political views, how come you are not active here in USA?
Is there anything else? Yes,?what?
is there anything else?

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