Questions asked of an activist

What is the motive of the bad guys? You say they want to punish the people? why? are some people in your country punished more than others? why?

What is your WRITTEN STATEMENT? how was it prepared? did anyone help you? how did he help? He made it chronological and described harm and threats?

Were you harmed or threatened in your country? How many times? When was the first time? last time? worst time?

What is "physical" harm? What is "emotional" harm? Is living under constant threat of harm quite painful? Is the entire country a prison? Just like in prison, you are under constant surveillance by people with guns? You need permission to travel? to sleep at your uncle's house?

The officer came near you? What did you see? what was he wearing? What expression was on his face? A big smile? what weapons did he have? what words did he say? 

How did he harm you?

At the moment of your arrest, where were you? what words did the officer say? What thoughts went through your mind?

Were you a member of a political group or a political party? did they give you a membership card? write a letter of support for you? 

How many protests did you attend in your country? how many in USA?

You were detained for three days? What did they tell you, on the day of your release?

What happened at the Yangon airport, when you went there to depart? What words were said? how did you pay the bribe? put cash into an envelope? put cash into your passport? how much?

how did you know how much to pay?

Did the ward officials visit every house on your street, or just yours? Were you treated differently from others? How, and why?

Is the government still looking for you? they have forgotten about you, haven't they?

Why did you decide to begin protesting in February 2021? why did you decide to protest in USA?

What is "material support"? Is it "something of value"? Did you give material support to a group that the USA believes is a terrorist group?

 November 2025: common questions that Asylum Officers ask:

In your country, did you suffer harm or threats? How many times? What do you mean, when you say, "Every day in my country is being under threat"?

That means: the government hates the people, and harasses, extorts, threatens, arrests, and kills people every day. The government is mean and nasty. Police can come and take you away at any time of any day.

Did you suffer physical harm? How many times? When was the first time? when was the last time? when was the worst time? When the officer was hurting you, what words did he say? Do you remember the words he said? Can you repeat them now?

What WORDS did the officer say?

Were you threatened? how many times? when was the first? when was the last? which was the worst? What WORDS did the officer say?

How were the threats given to you? 1] the officer stood three feet away and shouted at me, face-to-face 2] the officer said threats over the phone 3] the official made threats on television

4] the official made threats on the radio 5] the official made threats in the newspaper 6] they put megaphones on car roofs, drove slowly down the street, and yelled at the people