do you know what mother knows?

The Asylum Officer asked:
-is your government still looking for you? No, said applicant.
-is your government still looking for you? No, said applicant.
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Asylum denied. Mother had written a letter, mailed to applicant, which was then
given to the asylum office, which said, "the police came and asked about you last week."
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In other words, the asylum officer knew more about the letter from mother than the
daughter-applicant did.

an activist from Tunisia

The Asylum Officer asked this of Ms. T, from Tunisia:
-did anyone help you do your application?
let's see if you can repeat everything on page one!
Can you repeat what is one page four of Form I-589!
-how do you support yourself here in USA?
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Why are you applying for asylum?
Why you fear your family?
Why you fear the extremists?
Tell me, in detail, about the physical harm you suffered?
Did you suffer emotional harm?
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Is there a reason why you can not tell me more details?
Why did the soldier hit you?
Why was your sister raped by the sidewalk vendor?
Did he tell your sister why he raped her?
What words did he say during the rape?
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what is the platform of your political party?
Why did you decide to join it?
How would anyone know you were a member of that party?
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What was the worst thing that happened to you because of your political opinion?
What was the worst thing that happened to you becauses of your religion?
What would happen to you if you return to your country?
On the street, the man hit you? why not report this to the police?
Why didn't you go to the doctor?
What was your last contact with your family?
What did your mother tell you?
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Is the Government still looking for you? why do you think that?
Are the extremist still looking for you? why do you think that?
Is there anywhere in your country where you could go , and be safe?
You had problems in City #1; OK, so why not live in City #2?
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You traveled to France? why not apply for asylum there?
Is there anything else?

questions to a Burmese

The asylum officer asked:
"will you answer in as much detail as possible?"
-is "lack of detail" a very common reason to be denied asylum?
-did anyone help you with your application?
Are you aware of the contents of your application?
Did you write the English version of your statement?
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Show me your passport! I want to study it in silence for two minutes!
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what is your name/address/DOB/POB?
can you repeat your answers to everything on page one of I-589
Why did you apply for asylum?
Were you harmed in the past? tell me about 1] physical harm 2] emotional harm 3] economic harm
Why was your borther's shop attacked?
If you return, who would harm you? Why?
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How do people know that your brother is a Muslim?
How do people know you are in the "Karen" ethnic group?
How much of the news is reported by the media?
Are there any other reasons why you do not want to return to your country?
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Do you know anyone who was arrested because he wrote a letter to the government?
Do you know anyone who was arrested because he protested in Burma?
anyone who protested here in USA?
How did you show your opposition to the government?
were there any other ways?
What were your activities in USA?
Is there anything else?