Mr. Malonga, from the Congo, was and is still active!

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granted relief to Mr. Malonga, from the Republic of Congo, in part because:

1. He was active in political groups after he left his country. He joined one group based in USA, and another based in France. He signed petitions which criticized his government; these petitions were circulated in USA, France, and in Congo.

2. He testifed that if he is returned to his country, "I will continue to press for democracy." He was active while in his country, and while in the USA. So, when he said he would be active in the future, the court believed him.

3. He said that his ethnic group is easily observable: his group has a different accent, dialect, and have certain surnames. His group generally lived in one particular region of his country.

more questions to Burmese activist Sept. 2010

Tell me about your father: his work, where he lives today; did he suffer emotional harm? economic harm? physical harm?
-Tell me about mother: did she suffer emotional harm?
Tell me about sister #1: did she suffer harm?
tell me about brother #1: did he suffer economic harm?
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why did you come to USA?
You say you gave money to victims of the cyclone? where did the money come from? how did you get it?
Why did you protest? what did you want?
Did your government notice or know that you protested? how do you know that?
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why did you apply for asylum?
what is your complete immigration history here in USA?
You lived freely in Burma? what was not free?
What do you mean, "you lived under surveillance"? did you suffer emotional harm as a result of living under surveillance?
did you suffer any harm in Burma? what kind of harm?
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if you return to Burma tomorrow, what would happen?
do you know anyone else, who protested in USA and then returned to Burma?
Who is Nyi Nyi Aung?
-you say your country is dangerous? your government hates you? but, you voluntarily returned there? you voluntarily showed your passport, with your name and photo on it, to the government officials at the airport?

questions asked of a pro-democracy activist from Burma

-Why don't you want to return to Burma?
why does your government hate you?
did you do things that government hates? like what?
You say you protested, and demanded democracy?
how would democracy change things?
How do you know that government is aware of your activities?
what did you see with your own eyes?
did you see anyone inside the Embassy take your photo?
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did you suffer emotional harm in burma?
did you suffer economic harm in Burma?
Your husband joined the NLD? why didn't you join?
Is government aware of protests by husband?
why do you think Government is aware?
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why did you leave your country?
is that what you told the official at the Embassy to get your visa? why not?
Do you have any envelopes with fancy stamps on them?
You say you were on YouTube? how do you know if your goverment watches Youtube?
How many informers, spies, and infiltrators does your government have in USA?

very common questions by Asylum Officers

-did anyone help you with your application?
did someone read it back to you in your native language?
do you understand everything in it?
Tell me about all of your international travel: where did you go, what did you do in each country, what was your legal status there?
You lived in Japan for 3 years? why didn't you apply for asylum there?
were you "firmly resettled" in Japan?
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Tell me about each member of your family: your father:
where does he live? what work does he do? how come the government does not punish him? did he suffer any harm? did he suffer any emotional harm? economic harm?
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why don't you want to return to your country?
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Tell me all about your passport! was it difficult to get? did you re-new it?
how did you re-new it?
how did you get your visa to enter USA? what was the conversation? what did the officer ask you, what were your answers; did you tell lies?
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tell me how you left your country. Did you go to the airport, and show them your passport? did you have to pay any bribes? how much? to whom?
-why didn't you leave your country sooner? more quickly? why the delay? did you have trouble getting money for your travel?
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what is the exact date you arrived in USA?
why didn't you apply for asylum more quickly? why the delay?
You have a strong political opinion? what is it?
did you join any organizations here in USA? why not?
Tell me the name of three organizations you joined in USA?
recently, has your family in the old country suffered emotional harm?
did they suffer economic harm?