a Christian from Pakistan

The Asylum Officer asked: You live with whom, here in USA? how did you meet that person? how did he contact you? = why did you depart from your country? What happened in your country that makes you afraid? When was the first time you were threatened? What weapons did you see? what words did you hear? = how do you practice your religion? were you baptized? where is certificate of baptism? You departed from your country, and arrived in Kenya? you were safe in Kenya? and then from there, you voluntarily returned to your country, a country you say is so dangerous? why would you voluntarily return to a "dangerous" country? = What was your immigration status in Kenya? why not stay there? = did you suffer physical harm? emotional harm? what was it? Did you suffer economic harm? how much harm, in dollars? You did not talk to the police? you did not try to report the event to the police? why not? = your brothers are the same religion, and same ethnic group as you are? Why aren't they dead? you told me the bad guys hate your ethnic group and your religion; so, why aren't your brothers all dead? = if you say ten sentences in a row, can your interpreter translate all of your words? = your friend's name has about 15 syllables? do you think I, an American, have ever heard such a long and odd name? What do you call your friend, as a nickname? what is his last name? = your friend Iqbal received a death threat? why didn't he write a letter of suppport for you? Is there anything else? there is? what? Is there anything else? Link

a man from Pakistan

The Asylum Officer asked: You live with whom, here in USA? how did you meet him? How did he contact you? how did you contact him? how did you get his phone number? how did you get his number? How did he know you had arrived in USA? how did you get to his house, from the airport? Had you ever met him before? how did he recognize you? how did you recognize him? = why did you leave Pakistan? When did the problems first start? What is a "worship meeting"? what do you do, in it? = When did you last leave your country? your airplane flew through what cities? from Islamabad, to Addis, to Rome, and then to New YOrk? the bad guys broke up a meeting? please draw a picture of the room: where were you, where did the bad guys enter, where did they go next; where did you go next? What did you see? were their hands empty? what did you hear? what languages were they speaking? = show me the ORIGINAL documents! show me the envelope! do you have a certificate of baptism? what sacraments do you practice? what is your favorite story in the Bible? = what would happen, if you return to your country? you had problems in the city of Islamabad? OK, so why not go live in the city of Pashwar? or in the city of Meka? = if you did return to your country, how would the bad guys know that you returned? Is there anything else? OK, that is interesting. Is there anything else?

what does FGM mean to you?

The Assistant Chief Counsel asked these questions, of Ms. S, from Somalia, age 23, who had suffered FGM at age six: 1] before the cutting, were you given an explanation, or were you just cut? 2] was it also done to your sister? Does your culture require it, or did your family voluntarily decide to do it? 3] how did it impact your health? 4] when was your first fever? when was your first infection? 5] how many fevers in the last two years? 6] how many infections in the last two years? 7] where is your husband? what did he think about FGM ten years ago? what does he thing today? 8] what impact did the FGM have on your emotions? 9] did you notice any smells? 10] did you receive psychological counseling about your problems here in USA? why not? 11] did you consult with an OB/GYN doctor here in USA? why not? 12] your fears, if you get pregnant? 13] if you have a baby girl, what would happen to her?

Congo #5

You suffered harm in City #1? OK, so why can't you go and live in City #2? or in City #3? How would they find you, if you went to city #3? = the government killed your brother? so, the government believes you are angry, due to the death of your brother? so, the government wants to hurt you? -what about your other brother? isn't he also angry at Governemnt; so why doesn't Government put him in prison? How come your brother is alive and well, and unharmed? = What are your activities here in USA? What would happen to you, if you return? Have any similarly-situated persons suffered, in the past six months? = Is there anything else? do you have any physical problems today, because of what happened to you in your country? Do you have any mental problems today?

Congo activist #4

What were your activities for the political party? you handed out rice to people? where were you, when you handed out the rice? inside a building? outside in a field? = how did the police find out you were handing out rice? = you say you were raped? As the officer came close to you, what thoughts went through your mind? -afterwards, what thougths went through your mind? What clothes did you put on, afterwards? How did you get to the hospital? what treatment did you get at the hospital? 1] they cleaned you? 2] put on bandages and antiseptic? 3] took X-rays? 4] gave you three medicines? #1 __? #2 ___? #3___? 5] what advice did the nurse give you? 6] what advice did the doctor give you? 7] any stitches? 8] pills? 9] creme? = then you went to the small village to hide? What was your life like in the village? What did you do all day? walk outside, to go to the grocery store? to go to church? = how did you get your visa to come to USA? You told how many lies to get your visa? You filled out a form, which asked about your employment, about your schooling, about y our children? I have a copy of that application, right here in front of me? -I know more about that application than you do? = after the rape, "intense" feelings went through your head? like what?

Congo activist #3

What is the platform of your political party? -they believe that who should be president? -they believe what about how the government should spend money? money should be spent on roads, hospitals, and education? or on the military? -they believe what about stories journalists write? -they believe what about women are treated? = Did you have any problems in your country? Tell me about your problems, year-by-year: in 2010? -any problems in 2011? -any problems in 2012? = you are arrested in June 2010 in the capitol city? Where were you, at the moment of your arrest? 1] standing on the street? 2] sitting on a chair, inside a room at the school? 3] havnig dinner at an outdoor cafe? = what words did the officer say? what language did he speak? did he speak in more than one language? Did he have any weapons? what weapons did you see? what weapons did he use? = why were you arrested? Why weren't you arrested three months earlier? 1] the police are negligent and stupid? 2] the police were busy harrassing other people? = Why was your house burned? Who says it was the police who burned your house? = when did you join the political party? Why did you join? why did you join it only in December? why not 12 months earlier?

Congo activist #2

Your brother was a member of the political party known as UPADS? -what was his role? did he have a title? What did he do? - did he sit in an office and make phone calls? write tracts? -did he attend meetings and debate and discuss alternatives? -did he walk on the streets and distribute pamphlets? -did he walk on the streets and ask people to join, to contribute money, and to attend meetings, rallies, and protest marches? -did he encourage and mobilize people? -did he help organize protests? write words on big signs? -sell T-shirts to raise money? = did the government know what he was doing? -where did he live in 2011? where in 2012? why wasn't he arrested?

Republic of Congo activist

The Asylum Officer asked: -show me your passport! did anyone help you prepare your application? what other names have you used? -here in USA, you live with whom? how many children do you have? any step-children? any adopted children? - when did you last leave your country? -when did you arrive in USA? -what was your last address in your country? -Where did you live during the past five years? 12 months x 5 = 60 months? Where did you live, during each of the past 12 months? where did your husband live? Where does he live today? He has lived in the exact same house for the past three years, and he still lives there? You say your government is angry at you? Is your government angry at your family members, such as your husband? If so, why haven't they arrested him? he is easy to find, isn't he? = You departed from your country in January 2012, traveled to Cameroon, where it was safe? You are safe in a third country, and then you voluntarily returned to your own country, which you say is dangerous? - why did you voluntarily return to a "dangerous" country? I guess it is not really dangerous, correct?

Rwanda #3

The Asylum Officer asked: Why did you depart from your country when you did? Why not depart sooner? why the delay? HOw did you recieve the invitation to come to USA? If you return to your country, what would happen? You had problems in City #1, and in City #2? OK, so what? why not live in city #3? How would the bad guys find you in that city? = In the last two months, who did you talk to, in your country? what did you talk about? = how did you get the death certificate of your mother? throught the mail? did someone hand it to you? How does your therapist help you? why does she tell you to take deep breaths? = is there anything else? OK, thanks; is there anything else? what is your favorite exhibit? is it on page 54? = Tell me all of your international travel! How did you get your passport? how did you get your visa?

Rwanda #2

The Asylum Officer asked: how did you enter USA? what documents did you use? you used a passport and a visa? -where were you, before entering USA? tell me each airport where you stopped: did you get off of the airplane? did you depart from the airport, and then return to the airport? = where do you live, now, in USA? who do you live with? What is a normal day for you, now? you get up, drink coffee, and then what? just sit in house all day and watch television? = how did you meet your lawyer? How did you learn about asylum? when did you decide to apply for asylum? How did you and your lawyer prepare the application? How do you support yourself in USA? you do not work? who pays the rent? = have you talked to anyone, recently, in your country? what did you talk about? what exactly did you talk about? = have you been harmed in the past? When was the last time you were harmed? What was the worst harm you suffered? Why did the man hit you? why did the officer arrest you? After they killed your brother, did you report the crim to the police? what was the conversation at the police station?

an activist from Rwanda

The Asylum Officer asked: 1] how do you know your interpreter? 2] did anyone help you prepare your application? who? how was the application prepared? = 3] tell me all of your international travel: where did you travel, when, and why? Are you a citizen anywhere else in the world? do you have immigration status anywhere in the world? = 4] how did you get your visa to come to USA? what documents were involved? did someone from USA write a letter to Embassy? you showed what documents to Embassy to get your visa? -did someone in your country help you get your visa? To get your visa, did you fill out Form DS-160? Do I have a copy right here in my hand? Does the visa application ask you how long you intended to stay in USA? you lied, or did not lie, to get your visa?

do you have trouble sleeping or eating?

A licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland interviewed a woman who had witnessed a murder, from ten feet away, and noted that 1] she kept "re-experiencing the event." This meant that when she heard a door slam, it reminded her of how the door slammed five years ago, in the old country, when the bad guys came in. Also, she had trouble falling asleep, and staying asleep. She felt nervous, and had nightmares. 2] the woman wanted to "avoid" the event. She said, "I do not really want to talk about it." 3] physical effects: "I often am not hungry; I do not care about food so much anymore."

pro-American activist

Mr. A was denied asylum, for many reasons; including: A forgot his own work history. He said he worked for X in 1995; later he said he worked for Y from 1994-1996. A said he received a written death threat in January 2011; however, his wife wrote that it was received in May 2011. A was not sure what the motive of the gang was. First, he said the gang wanted money; then he said they were angry because A was pro-American.

activist from the DRC

The Asylum Officer asked: -show me your passport! why did you go to Russia? why did you go to Brazil? What is date of birth of your husband? Date of marriage? date of birth of child #1? Child #2? Child #3? Did you make errors on page 4 of I-589? Yes you did? so, you want me to spend time figuring out your errors, instead of listening to how your suffered real harm? Where did you sleep at night during the past 24 months? where did you work, during each of the past 24 months? = who helped you do your application? Where did you work? in an office? in a tent? you worked for your government? you say your government hates you, and is angry at you? If so, how come the government gives you a job and pay? = where were you, at the moment of your arrest? what did the officer say to you? why were you arrested? = When was the next time you had problems? what did you do, before you were arrested? you say you spoke out, against your government? when? how? who heard you? did the government know that you spoke out? how did they know? = you talked to John? what was the conversation: what did you say, what did he say? Did anyone at your office know that you talked to John? Did that person write a letter of support for you? why not? Did you even ask that person to write a letter? why not? = How were you able to keep your government job, if the government wanted to punish you? Why weren't you arrested at the airport as you were leaving your country? = Where were you, at the moment of your next arrest? what did the soldier say? why were you arrested? = did you go to any political meetings? where were they held? who spoke at the meetings? did you speak? did you say even one word? What did you say? What else did you do? did you distribute tracts? did you ask people to give money? = During the last three months you lived in your country, what did you do all day? Did you go outside? where did you go? How come you were not arrested during those three months? Maybe the government forgot about you, several months ago? When did you decide to come to USA? What did you say to get your visa? what lies did you tell? did you fill out a two-page questionnaire, listing your children, your address, and your job? Does the Asylum Officer have a copy of that application, today? How did you answer the same questions on Form I-589? = You arrived in USA in July 2012? what was your intent, on the day of your arrival? Apply for asylum, or not? Why can't you go back to your country? Did you do anything here in the USA to make your government more angry at you? When was the last time you talked to your husband? Has he had any problems, after your arrival here in USA? Does your husband have a job? what does he do all day? Can the government find your husband, if they want to? The government does not care about your husband or mother? so, why do you think Government cares about you? = Are you able to repeat what you said in your Declaration? why not? did you read it before coming here today? I, the Asylum Officer, know more about your Declaration than you do? do you feel embarrassed about that? does your lawyer feel embarrassed about that? = Does the Asylum Officer think the lawyer is stupid, because he did not force you, his client, to read his own Declaration before the interview? = In your Declaration, you said you were arrested for two reasons? yes? no? yes? OK, so, today, why didn't you tell me the same thing? you forgot what you said in your Declaration? I know more about your Declaration than you do? do you feel embarrassed about that? Is there anything else? yes,? what? Is there anything else?

domestic violence in Sri Lanka

The Asylum Officer asked: 1] show me your passport! give me a complete copy of each page! 2] how many passports have you had, in your life? Give me a copy of each page, of each passport! 2] when did you depart from your country? 3] when did you enter the USA? 4] what other countries have you lived in? what was your status in each country? can you return to that country today? 5] you lived in India from 2005-2007? what was your immigration status there? can you return there today, if you wanted? = 6. Is there an error on page 2 of I-589? 7. Are there two more errors on page 4 of I-589? you were too busy to read over the I-589? You want to start this interview, with me noticing errors made by you? = Why don't you want to return to your country? what would happen if you returned tomorrow? whom do you fear? do you fear your government? do you fear anyone else? = you say your husband punched you? why? Did you ever call the police? the police came to your house? is calling the police a waste of time? a 90% waste of time? Each time your husband hit you, can you tell me the month/year/city? did your husband ever hit your children? ever threaten them? -tell me the first, worst, and last bad thing your husband did to you -for each incident, tell me what weapons he had; tell me what words he said, tell me what part of your body did he hit - for example: He held a large stick. He said, "I will kill you." he hit me on my shoulders, back and butt. = What words did husband say? When he said that, what thoughts went through your mind? [wtwtym?] What kinds of harm did you suffer? physical, mental, and economic? what physical harm did you suffer in 2008? how about today, 2012? does your leg still hurt? Emotional harm? how do you feel today, as a result? anxious?

what does "political activity" mean?

The BIA made some comments in Matter of N-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 526 [2011]: why did applicant join the party? what was attractive about the party? -how often did he attend meetings? while at the meetings, did he speak? -how often did he invite others to attend? -how often did he attend public rallies? while at the rallies, did he speak or shout or chant slogans? -how often did he invite others to the rallies? -did he distribute literature about the coming rally? = did he speak out loud somewhere or anywhere? to whom? who was listening at the time? did passers-by listen? -did he ever write something political? where was it published? who read it? -did a newspaper ever publish anything he wrote? did anyone actually read the article in the newspaper?

fleeing gangs in El Salvador

The Asylum Officer asked: -when have you visited USA? tell me about each visit: what year, what purpose? -what were your activities in your country? What was your job? what did you do in your job? = What threats have you received, during your life? When was the first threat? how did you receive it? via phone? a text message? a letter? did you report this problem to the police? Do the gangs extort money from every single business in your city? every single one? if so, the gang does not care if the business owner has, or does not have, a political opinion? = the gang does not care if the business owner did, or did not talk to the police? What happened to you? What did the gang want? Did anyone, similarly-situated to you, suffer in the last six months? If you walk down the street in your city, what do you see? do you see men with tattoos or special colors? how do you know who is in the gang, and who is not? = what thoughts went through your mind when you found out the gang delivered a message to your brother?

dissident from Cameroon #3

The Asylum Officer asked: -why did you join that political party? what were the goals of that party? why did you join at that time, and not earlier? What specifically did you do, as a member? -sit on a chair, during meetings? -distribute tracts on the streets? -make phone calls, to solicit money and members? - talk to your friends, face-to-face, about joining? = you say you were arrested again? where? why? how did the police know you were there? did you suffer any physical harm? Where were you taken? what happened upon your arrival at the jail? was anyone else arrested? why no letter from him? what did you hear inside the cell? what did you smell inside? what fears did you have, inside the cell? what food did you eat? what did you drink/? = do the police have a central file, which they can read, and find out if you had been arreted earlier? Did they ask you any questions inside the cell? = after you escaped from the prison, where did you go? how did you get there? -did the police talk to members of your family after your escape? what did the police say? = you were arrested about 18 months ago? now, the police have forgotten about you? Who says they are still interested in you? If you return to your country, what would happen? why? You were injured in city #1? OK, so why don't you live in City #2? Is there anything else? yes? what? OK, now, is there anything else?

dissisdent from Cameroon, #2

More questions: -on the day of your arrest, was anyone else arrested? Tell me the name of one such person. Why didn't that person write a letter of support for you? -why did you protest that day? what did you want from the government? What specifically did YOU do? [not what others did; what did you do?] -did you walk in the street, chanting slogans? did you stand near another protestor, who was holding a large banner, which said something? What language did you chant in? = where were you taken to? a police station? where was it? -did you suffer physical harm inside? how? -did you suffer emotional harm inside? how? -how did you escape, or depart from the prison? what was the conversation on your last day? -who was inside the cell, with you? why didn't that person write a letter of support for you? -please describe the cell: how big? lighting? furniture? beds? bucket for toilet? insects? flies? what could you hear, while inside? What was it like, being detained in the cell? What thoughts went through your mind, while you were there? Did you have any fears, while you were there? Did you say any words to an officer? what? did the officer say any words to you? in what language? = where were you, at the time of your beating? inside the cell, or somewhere else? what weapons did the officers have? = did your family know you were inside the prison? how did they find out? did they visit you? why not?

a dissident from Cameroon

The Asylum Officer asked: -without looking at page one of your I-589, can you repeat what it says? - i.e., what is your exact name? address? DOB? POB? when did you last leave your country? Who helped you prepare your application? who else helped? -after it was prepared, was it read back to you in a language you can understand? -you received some letters? how did you receive them? through ordinary mail? through DHL? -via hand-delivery? -how did you get the medical documents? the doctor gave them to your hand? the doctor gave them to your mother, who mailed them to you? = Where are the originals? willl you put them here, on the desk, in front of me? = When did you apply for a student visa? why did you decide to apply? what questions did the man at the Embassy ask you? -tell me about all of your international travel: what countries did you visit; why, and in what years? -how did you learn about the ability to apply for asylum? who told you? = why did you decide to leave your country? When did you make that decision? why didn't you depart earlier? = where were you, at the moment of your arrest? inside a room, sitting on a chair? standing outside, in the street? - why were you arrested? what words did the officer say to you? in what language? -did the officer have any weapons? did he use them? how?

dissident from Congo #2

The Asylum Officer asked: So, you were harmed in your country? What kind of harm did you suffer? 1] harm to your body 2] harm to your house, car, or church 3] economic harm, such as loss of job or loss of income? = Did you suffer emotional harm? you felt very sad when you found out they killed your brother? = For each harm that you suffered, can you tell me the month/year/city? Also, tell me why you were harmed, and how you were harmed. OK: March 2011: you were in the city of Brazzaville, at the house of John? You were inside the house, or sitting outside, in the back yard? Who came? how did they come? how many police came? what did they say? did they have any weapons? how and where on your body did they hit you? what did they say, as they were hitting you? What did you do, to make the police want to arrest you? How did the police know you did that? At the time of your arrest, at that moment, where were you? = the police took you to a large building? they put you where? in a small cell? who else was in the cell? What thoughts went through your mind, while you were sitting in the dark cell? = Your second arrest; tell me month/year/city: Where were you at the moment of your arrest? standing in the street? why did they arrest you? what words did you chant? what words were written on the large placard? what weapons did the police have? what words did the police say? what did you say? was anyone else arrested? does anyone know that you were arrested that day? why didn't John write a letter of support for you? = inside the cell, did they ask you any questions? what? What happened on the day of your release? what did the officer say? where did you go, after being released? you were in good health, or not? = WEAPONS and WORDS did the police have weapons? such as what? what language did the police speak? what words did they say? Did you see any blood? where was the blood? = you departed from your country on December 5, 2011? you arrived here in USA on December 6th? As you went to the airport in Brazzaville, intending to fly out, did you fear you might be arrested at the airport? Why weren't you arrested at the airport? Has anything happened in your country since you arrived here? When was the last time you talked to your wife? she said what? Did the president of y our country talk on television or on the radio recently? what did he say? Is your government STILL interested in you, even today? maybe they have forgotten about you? You were harmed in City #1 and in City #2. OK, so why can't you live in City #3? is there anywhere that is safe for you to live in your country? = did one member of your political party suffer in the last six months? who, and why? = OK, we are finished. Is there anything else? What is your favorite exhibit? is there anything else? what?

a dissident from Congo

The Asylum Officer asked: -what is your name? address? DOB? POB? your ethnic group? when arrive in USA? when does your passport expire? [the Officer, in silence, looked at each page of the passport] name of wife? date of marriage? = Why don't you want to return to your country? why do you fear government? why would government kill you? What is your political opinion? If your government receives revenues, how should the money be spent? -spend it on schools, roads, and electricity, or spend it on a palace for the President? = Did you join a political party in your country? When did you join? why? what attracted you to the party? How did you join? did a friend invite you? To join, did you just fill out a one-page form and pay some money? nothing else? So, it is very easy to join? an informer, or a spy, could join it? How long has the party existed? who is the national leader? who is the local leader of the party? what was your role or position? The party believes what? is your party illegal, or legal? = Did you do any activities for the party? -you sat on a chair at a meeting and listened to others talk? did you say anything yourself? Did you invite others to the meeting? did you walk door-to-door and invite people? call anyone on the phone? send anyone emails? did you collect money for the party? How did you do these things? Did anyone see you do these things? If a movie camera followed you around, and filmed you, what would the film show? = How often did you have meetings? where were the meetings? what did you do at the meetings? who did most of the talking? = do you have strong political opinions, today? Yes? what are they? Are you active here in USA, or do you just sit, drink coffee, and watch futbol? Why didn't you join a party here in USA? you say there is no such party? why didn't you start one? Why didn't you create a blog and share your opinions to the world? = you say you protested in front of your Embassy, here in USA? did anyone inside the Embassy notice you? what views did you express, while standing in front of the embassy?

another activist from Ethiopia

The Asylum Officer asked:
-inside the prison, what did you hear? coughing of prisoners who had Tuberculosis?
the screams of prisoners being beaten? a large angry prisoner, in your face, yelling at you?
=
did you see any blood inside prison?
did you see any insects, flies, rats?
did you see any dead bodies?
=
You suffered in your capitol city? so, why not go live in a small village far away? why do you think your government could find you there?
=
what have been your political activities here in USA?
what have you done here, that annoys or irritates your government?
Why hasn't your husband suffered any harm since you have been here?
Is there anything else?
What is your favorite exhibit?
Is there anything else?
where is the envelope for this letter?
How do I know your husband really wrote this letter? maybe someone else did?

an activist from Ethiopia

The Asylum Officer asked:
-show me your passport! did you photocopy each page of your passport?
Tell me about all of your international travel: where did you go, why, how long, what was your status in each country; how come you did not apply for asylum in each country?
-
Tell me about each member of your family: where are they, why not here in USA, did they suffer physical harm? emotional harm? economic harm?
1] your husband: did he suffer any a] physical harm; b] emotional harm; c] economic harm?
2] your oldest child?
=
You stood on the sidewalk in front of your Embassy in Washington DC, holding a large sign criticizing your government, and you chanted slogans, criticizing your government?
-did anyone inside the Embassy notice you? did anyone look out of the window?
=
You say your government knows you, because you protested in front of your Embassy? If so, why don't they punish or harm you? why don't they punish or harm your husband?
=
What is the ethnic group of the leader of your country?
what is your ethnic group? how does his group feel about your group?
=
what is the religion of the leader? what is your religion? how does he feel about your religion?
Is your ethnic group important to your asylum claim? How?
is your religion important to your asylum claim? how?
How do you feel about your government?
Why are you against your government?
What were your political activities in your country?
Where did you distribute pamphlets?
Did any of your political activities in your country come to the attention of your governemnt? How? how do you know that? does anyone agree with you?
=
what did you do, to get the attention of your government, in your country?
What does "a photo is worth 1,000 words" mean?
What does your government spend money on? what do you think your government should spend money on?
What have you done, politically, in your country, to get you into trouble in your country?
Where were you at the moment of your arrest?
What words did the soldiers say?
Where did they take you? what words did they say in that building?
Why were you released? what did they say to you, on the day of your release?
What was the motive of the government? why did they target you?
What was the worst thing that happened to you inside the prison?

I suffered FGM 30 years ago

The Asylum Officer asked:
-today, is there pain upon urination? how many times per day do you urinate?
-Who did the cutting? what was her training?
Did she cut other girls the same day? did blood from another girl get on you?
What is your opinion about FGM?
What percent of the girls in your country get FGM?
Do you know anyone who died from it?
What is a "cyst"? is it a large growth of flesh or tissue, in a place where you do not want it, such as "down there."?
-What percent of girls who suffer FGM at age ten have large cysts growing in or near their vaginas at age 40?
-Are you sure you do not have a cyst down there?

a minority from Iraq

The Asylum Officer asked:
-has the blue sheet about translation been explained to you?
Can you repeat everything on page one of Form I-589?
-everything on page 2? your last address in your country?
Did anyone help you prepare this application?
How did you enter the USA?
How many passports have you been issued by Government?
where is each passport, right now?
Tell me about all of your international travel?
Why did you visit Lebanon? why not seek asylum there?
=
Why do you seek asylum now, but not earlier?
When did you decide to apply for asylum?
how did you learn about the ability to file asylum?
who told you? when?
Today, here in USA: where do you live, and who lives with you?
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do you have a political opinion?
what does "pro-democracy" mean?
What is democracy? don't you have democracy in your country?
Was your husband a member of the Baath party?
Have you ever been harmed in your country?
what is "emotional" harm? what is "economic" harm?
Some one made a threat over the telephone?
Who was it? who do you think it was?
Why was the man targeting your husband?
the man was angry at the entire family, or just your husband?
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you say the man who made the threats was mad at your husband because he helped the Americans? how did the man know that your husband helped the Americans?
-after the threat, did you report it to the police? why not?
Later, your brother was attacked on the street?
by whom? why?
Did anyone report the attack to the police? why not?
why is it a waste of time to report to the police?
Did you have any problems in your country?
between the years 2009-2010, any problems?
Who hurt you, and why?
During the year 2011, any problems?
Who hurt you, and why?
How did they know things about you?
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Why did you come to the USA?
why do you want asylum?
if you return to your country, what would happen?
You say the militias hate you? why?
You say you have lived here in USA for over two years. Why is this important?
How would the militias know that you have lived here for over two years?
What emotions do you have about hijabs? would you wear one if you return?
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You say your country is very dangerous? If so, why did you voluntarily return there in 2011?
Is there anything else?

an activist from Cameroon

The Asylum Officer asked:
-show me your passport! what is your immigration history? a] you asked for a visa, while living in Cameroon? what did you say on your application?
b] you were a student here in USA? for how long? where is I-20? how did you pay tuition?
who paid it?
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Is there anyone here in USA who has knowledge of your case?
Why did you draw a picture of your nightmare?
After you were injured, did you return voluntarily to your "dangerous" country?
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Tell me about all of your international travel: where did you live for each of the past 60 months? [there are 12 months in a year; 12 x 5= 60 months?]
You lived in Senegal for 3 months? why not apply for asylum there?
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you say you were raped in June 2010? why were you raped? what was the motive of the bad guy? did you tell anyone about that event? why not?
-did you send emails to your brother? did he send emails to you? Will you open your email account right now,at my desk, and show me your email history?
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Your boyfriend is named Pascal? where is he now? where did he live for the past five years? what was his immigration status in each country where he lived?
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you say you were arrested in the city of Buea in December 2011? where were you at the moment of your arrest? who else was there? Baptiste was there? why did n't he write a letter of support for you?
-you were having a political meeting? what were you discussing? what alternatives did you consider? what subjects were being debated? you sat on a chair and listened? nothing else?
Does your government care if you sit on a chair in silence?
How did government find out you were having a meeting?
What did your government do that you did not like?
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you were being injured by Captain David? why not flee from him sooner?
why the delay? why not go to the city of Yaounde? wouldn't you be safe there?
What options did you have at that time? what information did you have at that time?
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did your mother ever have problems with government? can you tell me the month, year, and city?
=You arrived in USA in December 2011? then you waited over one year, and then applied for asylum? why the delay? did you have any health issues here in USA?
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How did the Sergeant find out about the meeting? who told him?
You have a baby son? when you were in Senegal, who took care of him? now you are in USA: who takes care of him?
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Did you join an organization here in USA? did they give you a card?
Why not? you do not really care about politics?
-back in your country, did you join an organization? did they give you a card?
-when your group protested, did they have a permit? were they arrested because they had no permit?
So, you were a student, protesting against your university? were any "similarly-situated" persons injured in the last six months?
-why did n't you see a doctor here in USA? how expensive are they? you work here in USA< don't you?
If you return to your country tomorrow, what would happen?
Why was there a long delay before you fled from the bad guys?
Why was there a long delay before you applied for asylum?
Earlier, you applied for a visa, you applied to be a student? I have a copy of your applications here; but you dont, correct? so, I know more about your applications than you do?
Is there anything else? yes?, what?
Do you have a Facebook account? what do you say on it?

activist from Togo

The government lawyer asked:
-how did you escape from prison in January 2011?
-after you escaped, where did you go? where did you sleep?
-did you ever return to your home, after you escaped?
-were you a member of a political party or organization in your country?
Did you hold any elected positions?
Here in USA, were you active in politics?
Did you join an organization here in USA?
why not?

liberal Muslim from Pakistan

The Asylum Officer asked:
You now live with whom?
Can you repeat page 1 of I-589? page 2?
What is date of birth of your spouse?
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Why are you filing for asylum?
Why do you fear the "radical groups"?
Are you a member of any group or party? why not?
You are not active here in USA? why not?
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you received a phone threat? what words did the man say?
what language did he speak in?
What else did the man say?
what did you say?
You had big problems in City #1? So, you moved to City #2?
what happened in City #2? how did they find you?
Why did the man hit you?
How did you get to the hospital? did you drive yourself?
Where are the hospital records? did you try to get them?
Really? what did you do, to get them?
Why didn't you report this to the police?
Why do you not trust the police?
did anything else happen, at that time?
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you received more phone threats in City #2?
What were you doing at the time of the calls? sitting at your desk?
walking on the street? sleeping?
Who called you? what do you mean, you don't know?
What made you depart from your country?
How did you get out of your country?
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do you remember what you said in your own Declaration?
How would the bad guys know about you?
They have forgotten about you, yes?
How have similarly-situated persons suffered in the last six months?
Why were you targeted, while others, similarly-situated, were not?
The bad guys did know exactly where you lived, or not?
The bad guys did know exactly where you worked, or not?
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what would happen if you return to your country?
What information do you have about your country from the last 30 days?
Did you have any problems departing from your country?
any problems at the airport?
Tell me about all of your international travel!
Your family still lives in your country?
They are happy and safe; no one bothers them?
Is there anything else?
OK, thanks, Is there anything else?

excision FGM

The Asylum Officer asked:
-how old were you, when you suffered FGM?
What were the circumstances?
you lived with whom at the time?
The old lady cut you? what did she say, in the beginning?
what did she say in the middle?
what did she say, after it was over?
What emotions did your father have, afterwards?
what emotions did mother have, afterwards?
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how long did it take to heal?
What do you mean, "It is still not healed, even today"?
Whatr medical problems did you have?
Did you notice any smells?
How painful were your periods?
How painful was your first labor and delivery?
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how is married life?
how pleasurable, or painful, is sex?
Your husband thinks what, about this?
What do you mean when you say, "I am not like other normal women"?
Why don't you want to have more children?
Should your daughter have FGM?
Is there anything else?

forced marriage

The Asylum Officer asked:
-can yu repeat page one of I-589?
date of marriage? date of birth of each child?
your last address in your country?
did anyone help you do this application?
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you were born in Sudan? why did you live in Saudi Arabia?
what was your immigration status there?
Can you live in Saudi Arabia today?
You do not need asylum here in USA, because you can get legal status in another country?
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Tell me about all of your international travel!
Why are you seeking asylum?
Why do you fear your father?
How do you know what your father is planning? did he tell you?
NO? OK, so how do you know his plans?
How did he beat you? he used what weapons?
How did you escape?
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how did you get your visa to enter the USA?
did you walk into US Embassy? NO? Ok, so how did you get the visa stamped into your passport?
Do you fear returning to your country? why?
Your father is lives in City #1. So why don't you live in City #2 or in city #3?