Asylum officer questions of an activist from Burma on

September 30, 2025:

Did anyone help you with your WRITTEN STATEMENT? how did he help you? You wrote it, he made it shorter?

Anything new to add today?

Earlier, you applied for a tourist visa when you were in Burma? did you tell the truth in that application? Did the application ask if you had ever been arrested? Did it ask when you planned to return to Burma, and you lied, and said you would return in 4 weeks?

At the U.S. Embassy, they asked you questions? You lied to the officer?

Can  you repeat page one of Form I-589 without looking at it? Does your passport show all of your international travel? Tell me all of your international travel! You went to Vietnam? And then you voluntarily returned to the "dangerous" country of Burma? You say Burma is dangerous, yes? But, you voluntarily returned there? What does RTDC mean? [Return To Dangerous Country]

Did your mother or father flee from Burma? Did any of your brothers and sisters flee? why?

Tell me in two sentences why you are applying for asylum! You answered in four words: "I fear my government.?" 

Did you suffer physical harm in Burma? how many times? when was the worst time? when was the first time? when was the last time? Today, are you still suffering in any way, concerning your physical injuries?

Did you receive threats? How many times? when was the first, worst, and last times? You say that every day is a threat, living in Burma? If the government makes a threat on television, do you consider that to be a personal threat to you?

You were in the tea house, and you saw some men in uniforms? what words were on the uniforms? what symbols? what weapons did they have? What was their ethnic group? Were any of them members of the Bamar group? What words did they say? Can you repeat the words of soldier #1? Can you repeat the words of soldier #2?

Where were you, at the moment of your arrest? why did they arrest you? You think they wanted to punish you? why do you think that?

Were you a member of a political party? What is the platform of that party? how did you learn about it? why did you join? did someone invite you? Did you do anything, as a member of this party? You sat in meetings, on a chair, in silence? Did you support this party in any way? Give money? Ask others to join? Attend ralllies? What would a cell phone record about you?

Your political opinion is very important to you? Why haven't you joined a party here in USA? have you done anything in USA to bring yourself to the attention of your government? why not?

Did the government make any threats on television? what is cit kyaw yay? Is it a slang term, for interrogation center? is it worse than prison?

What did you say at the protest in January 2025? what did you say at the meeting in February 2025? 

How did you learn about the protest? did someone phone you? send you an email?

Some of my questions may seem silly, but answer them anyway.