advice from a 5-year asylum officer

Mr. J.J. was an asylum officer for five years. He gives this advice:
1. to research country conditions, use "refworld."
the next best authority is Freedom House.
2. if grandmother writes a letter, make sure it is consistent with the story of the applicant!
3. the longer the declaration, the more chance for inconsistencies.
4. One Judge said, "just use the boxes on the I-589; do not even write a declaration; b/c someone will be inconsistent."
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5. Officers often reject applicants due to lack of detail in their oral responses. For example, "why did you join the party?" a common, bad answer: "because I want democracy." Be specific. If you hate the dictator in your country, explain why: for example, "the dictator stole land from my father 20 years ago. That made my father mad; so I too am mad."
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6. A better answer to "why did you join the XXX party?" "Because that party advocates for glass-walled ballot boxes, for the installation of drinking fountains in the middle of the city, for NOT paying high salaries to senators."
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7. Officers love membership cards.
8. Yes, the officers care about the harm you suffered, but the officers care more about why you did the thing which caused the harm: i.e. you were hit on the head at the protest; yes, being hit is suffering harm, but why were you at the protest?
9. the head of your political party should write a letter of support.
10. When mailing package to Texas, put G-28 at the top. The people in Texas do not care about the cover letter [it will be taken from the top and put back into the middle of the package.