Asylum officer questions December 22, 2025

How did your lawyer help you with your written statement? What was the worst thing that happened to you? 

Did you tell lies to get your tourist visa? why? What does your passport say about your international travel? What is the Civil Disobedience Movement? were you a member? were you associated with it? how? did anyone know you were associated with it?

What thoughts went through your mind, when you heard the knock on your door? Why do you want asylum? why didn't you apply sooner? Were you threatened? how many times? Why did you depart from your country? Do you need permission to travel inside Burma, from one city to another? what is a direct threat? what is an indirect threat?  What were you protesting? Why did you protest? why not go to hospital, if you were injured? 

Were you targeted specifically? Are you of personal interest to your government? What was the man wearing? what weapons did he have? what words did he say? can you repeat what you said in your Written Statement? why didn't you go to a doctor? Details are good, unless you can't repeat them

 Asylum officer questions February 18, 2026

How was Written Statement prepared? when did you last depart from your country? 

How was your visa application prepared? is everything in it true?

Why did you apply for asylum? who do you fear? why?

Were you harmed or threatened in your country? how many times? when was the first harm? the last harm? the worst harm?

what would happen if you return? why would government arrest you? Who are you? what is special about you? How would government find out that you "supported" the NLD? what kind of support did you give? money? hours of labor? sit on a chair during a meeting?

Why are you pro-democracy? Is the government actively looking for you? why do you believe that? why are you against conscription? how could the government find you? why are you in fear today?

Are you in contact with people in Burma today? can't you live safely in Mandalay?

 Asylum officer questions February 17, 2026

How did you prepare your Written Statement? who helped you? how did he help?

How did you prepare Form DS-160? anyone help you? it ask "how long will you stay in USA?" and "were you arrested?" What did you say about Facebook in that application?

Tell me about all of your international travel: each country, purpose of visit, why not seek asylum there; your status there; were you offered permanent status there?

did you give "material support" to a "terrorist organization"? did you give anything to a violent group, or a group that used guns

Ever been harmed or threatened? how many times? how many times in 2021? 2022? 2023? most recent harm? worst harm? when was the first harm? when was the last harm?

why did they harm you? why did they want to punish you? what words did they say? how did they find out, about your activities? You say informers are everywhere: who says? who told you that?

how would they know if you posted on Facebook? besides spies, and Facebook, any other way they would know? what did you post on FB? what was your most recent post?

RTDC means what? Return To Dangerous Country. If you voluntarily return to Burma, then I guess it is not so dangerous, yes?

Did you "support" the NLD? how? give them money? attend rallies, encourage others to attend? Does the government know you supported them? how would they know? who told you that the government knows?

were you in association with any anti-government groups? how did you associate with them? how would government know what you were doing?

Does your passport have dates in it? can we use it to determine your history?  

Why do you believe "X"? did someone tell  you about X? did you read about X? do you know anyone else who believes in X?

why weren't you arrested at the Yangon airport? why does government hate protestors?why would they want to harm you? how would they recognize you? how would they find you? Is there something specific about you, that motivates government to target you? why do you believe they would hit you? did someone tell you that?

Years have gone by. Why do you think the government is still interested in you? why do you think they would carry out the harm? are  you special or important?

What motivated you to: protest? write a letter to Ambassador? join the NLD? post on FB?

 Asylum officer questions January 2025

Your passport has many dates in it? Using it, can you write a history about yourself- where were you, over the years?

Was it difficult to get your passport? where did you use it?

How did you get your tourist visa? Form DS-160? your asylum officer has a copy, but you don't?

Were you harmed in your country? how many times? did you suffer physical harm? how many times? were you threatened? how many times?

Can I open your Facebook account, right now?

You say the man hit you? what was he wearing? what did he say? what weapons did he use? where on your body did he hit you? why was he hitting you? he wanted to punish you? why

 Asylum officer questions to an activist from Burma on February 16, 2026

Anyone help you with your Written Statement? how did he help you? How did you write it?

To get your tourist visa, did you tell lies in your written application? why? did you tell lies, in response to oral questions at the US Embassy? why?

Tell me about all of your international travel. Did any country offer you permanent residence? Why didn't  you apply for asylum in any of those countries?

Tell me about your immigration status in USA: did you miss the one-year deadline? why? why not apply for asylum sooner? why not depart from your country sooner?

Why did you apply for asylum, when you did? Why did you depart from your country?

Did you suffer harm in your country? how many times? who harmed you, and why?

Were you targeted? Are you special? The government has a specific interest in you? 

Tell me the name of your relative who gave you information

Who do you fear? why is your government angry at you? If they were angry at you, why weren't you arrested when you went to the airport, to depart?

How many threats did you get in 2021? in 2022? in 2023?

Were you a member of a party or an organization? Did that group write a letter of support for you? why not?

What is the platform of the NLD? what is its mission? when did you begin to support it? why? how did you hear about it? tell me the name of your friend who told you about it. Did the party have a reputation? did people have common knowledge about it? when was the last time you supported it? what kind of support did you give?

How did you participate in campaingns? what would a cell phone video show? Did you post on Facebook? did you print out any of your postings?

How did the government find out about your activities? what does dalan mean? what does ISI mean? [Informers/Spies/Infiltrators] How did the government get informatin about you? did anyone tell you, that the government had information about you?

What would happen if you return to your country? Your government has forgotten about you, haven't they? What were your activities in USA? when you stood in front of the Embassy, what did you do? Did anyone notice that you were there?

Where do you get information from? what channel? when was the last time you were active in USA? how did you find out there was going to be protest on Sunday afternoon?

How would government know about your activities? who told you that? How do you know the government has lots of spies? Do you know anyone who protested in USA, and then got arrested upon return to Burma? How do you know that? how would government know if you return to Burma?

Why didn't they kill you, when you were in Burma? Who says the government is still interested in you? Years have gone by, yes?

If you return, would you continue to be active in anti-government groups? what would you do? you had trouble in Yangon? OK, so why not go live in Mandalay?

Fernando Pineiro, FOIA director for ICE, filed this declaration in court on September 30, 2025. To read it, click on this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17TmKyJH-8I0buNmBPCfnCtL5_jolU6nQ/view?usp=sharing 

 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

 Questions asked of an activist from Burma:

Who helped you write your Written Statement? how did he help you? He made it shorter, and made it in chronological order?

Who helped you prepare your application for a visa? I have a copy of your visa in my computer, and I just read it, but you have not read it yourself? I know more about your visa application than you do? Is that embarrassing to you? What lies did you tell in your application?

Where is a copy of your first passport? Your second passport? Your government promptly and easily gives you passports, when you ask?

A soldier yelled at your uncle in December 2024 in the city of Mandalay? What words did he say? Did the soldier make any "indirect" or "implied" threats? Is there a difference between a direct, express, and clear threat, and a threat that is implied, indirect, or suggested?

Why did you apply for asylum? Because you fear  your government? Why are you in fear? Because they are angry at you? Why are they angry? For just one reason, or for more than one reason?

Did you suffer any harm? How many different kinds of harm are there? Physical, emotional, financial-economic, and "social" harm? 

Let's talk about physical harm. How many times did you suffer harm that was physical? When was the first time? Which was the worst?

Why did the soldier hit  you with his rifle butt? You think because he hated your ethnic group? Why do you think that? what words did the soldier say? when you told your uncles about this, did your uncle have an opinion as to why the soldier hit you?

There were seven houses on the street. Bamar people lived in six of them, and in house # 7, lived a non-Bamar family? Which house was burned? #7? Why was # 7 burned but the other six were not?

Everyone in Burma suffers, yes? Do non-Bamar people suffer more, or suffer dis-proportionately, compared to Bamar? How so?

 Asylum officer questions to an ethnic minority applicant from Burma:

When you applied for your tourist visa, you answered questions in Form DS-160? You were asked if you had ever been arrested? You were asked when you planned to return?

What does RTDC stand for? {Return To Dangerous Country] If you voluntarily return to your country, that you now say is "dangerous," doesn't that show your country is not dangerous?

Did you re-new your passport? You asked your country for something, and they did it? That shows they like you? 

You went to the airport to depart from your country, and they said, "Oh, you want to depart? Sure. Of course. We will do what you say: we allow you to depart." This shows your country likes you, and will not hurt you in the future?

Most people in Burma are members of the Bamar ethnic group? If you stand on the street, in silence, what does a soldier see? He sees a person with your skin color, your facial features, and your clothes? He knows, just by looking, that you are not a Bamar? Really? How do you know that?

 More asylum officer questions of the Burmese activist:

You say you attended meetings of your political party? what usually happened? Speaker #1 would complain about the evil dictator; Speaker #2 would agree; Speaker #3 also agreed? so everyone sits around and complains?

Did the people ever debate anything? should we have the next protest on a Friday, or is Saturday better? Protest in front of City Hall, or protest in the park? Use megaphones? use microphones?

Is there value if there is a place and space for people to come to, where they can share feelings? If you hear someone else complain about the same things as you do, then you feel better? you are more inclined to give money, to protest more, to invite more people to the next meeting?

How does your political party help people? If the party raises money, what happens next? where does the money go?

If someone went to a meeting, and recorded it on his cellphone, and then showed it to me, what would I see? what would I hear?

How would you make others aware of the protests?

At the end of your detention, how were you released? what was the conversation?

What would happen if  you arrived at the Yangon airport tomorrow? Why do you believe your government is still angry at you?

What happened, each time, as you exited from your country? what happened when you returned to your "dangerous" country? why weren't you arrested and beaten?

Did you ever give "material support" to a violent organization? you don't know what "material support" means, do you?

Is there anything else? Yes, there is? what?

 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.

 Asylum officer questions asked September 2025, of an activist from the Ivory Coast:

Do you remember what your WRITTEN STATEMENT is? How did you prepare it? did anyone help you? how did he help you? He looked at your statement, put it into chrono-logical order, and made it shorter?

Can you repeat page one of Form I-589, without looking at it? when did you last depart from your country? when enter USA?

Your wife is the same ethnic group and religion as you? How come she did not suffer physical harm?

Were you harmed or threatened in your country? [being threatened is harm, isn't it? YES. This is an awkward question from the officer? 

How many times were you harmed? You say you were harmed every day, because everyday there was a risk or danger of being arbitrarily arrested? Every day there was a "threat" of being arrested? So, you suffered emotional harm every day? 365 days in a year? So, in 2024, you suffered harm 365 times?

How many times did you suffer physical harm? When was the first time? the last time? which was the worst ?

A man hit you? what was he wearing on his feet? pants? shirt? head? what insignia or emblems or letters were on his shirt?

What words did he say? why did he hit you? What weapons did he have? Using his baton, he hit you on your right leg? on your upper back? where else? any blood come out? did you seek medical care? why not?

Who harmed you? He worked for whom? Why do you think that? How did he harm you? [you already answered this question, but I am asking again, for some reason]

You were harmed physically? Were you harmed in any other way? Emotionally? Any effects of it, today, in September 2025?

"Partisan" is a word in English? what does it mean to you?

What were your injuries?

A threat can be direct and personal: a man stands in front of you, and says, "If you give me bad answers, I will hit you on the head with my baton"?

That threat is direct, personal, and verbal?

Is this a threat: "You will see what can happen."?

A man stands in front of you, in a uniform, with a gun. He says, "Stop protesting." That is an indirect threat? He did not say, expressly, out loud, "I will hit you," but you believed he might do that?

You were harmed physically in 2024? tell me about it. Tell me about your emotional harm in 2023. Do you notice that I am not asking questions in chronological order, and that I am repeating questions? So what: answer anyway!

Every event happened in a certain month, year, and city? Can you put month/year/city in your answers? Do you know your own history? can you repeat it? Do I know the contents of your Written Statement better than you do? Is that embarrasssing to you?

Why did you join the GPS party? what was its platform? What did you do for the party? If someone made a video of you, doing your work, what would be in the video? You sitting on a chair, listening to someone else talk? You sitting at a desk, typing into a computer? You marching and chanting on the street?

After the soldier hit you, did you report that to the police? why not? Were the police able to protect you? Was there another government entity that could protect you?

A man in a T-shirt hit you? How do you know he worked for the government? Does the government hire homeless men, on a part time basis, and tell them to beat up protesters?

What would happen if you return to your country, tomorrow? Why would that happen?

Your government hates you? So why did they re-new your passport? Why did they let you depart from the airport? How much was the bribe you paid? how did you pay the bribe? did you hand him cash, in public?

Is your government still interested in you? Have they contacted your family in the last six months? So, they have forgotten about you, yes?

What are your political activities in the USA? does your government know what you are doing here? How would they know? Did you receive any threats, here in the USA?

did you ever give food, shelter, or transportation to a member of a violent group? What is "material support"? If you don't know what it is, how can you answer questions about it?

Did you ever violate the laws of your country? Do you need a permit, to have a protest?

 More questions, August 24th, of a Burmese activist:

What are "Country conditions" reports? Does the Department of State publish reports about your country? I read them, but you do not? Those reports know more than you do, about your country?

"Country conditions" reports from 2023 say that no one was forcibly drafted into the Military? Yes? that is true? 

Where do you get information from ? What news sources do you have? Do you spend less time than I do, reading about your country?

What is a "similarly-situated" person? You are a Christian, non-Bamar woman? Did such a person suffer harm recently? You are a Bamar man, under the age of 35? Did such a person suffer harm recently?

What is wrong with the Burmese military? Don't all countries have armies, and conscription systems? Why do you say that the military commits "inhuman acts"? What do you mean?

How long must you serve in the military? Just for two years, correct?

What is your political opinion? How did you express it in Burma? How did you express it in USA? you did not join a political party? you have no membership card? why not? Isn't your political opinion important to you? Who told you to protest at the Embassy? Who told you to write a letter to the Ambassador?

You went to a protest in August 2025? how many people were there? did anyone notice you were there? who organized the protest?

You sent a letter to the ambassador? why? was your name on it? weren't you afraid of consequences? Can you prove that your letter was delivered? who told you to write the letter? who mailed it? from where? Did anyone tell you to mail it? Your lawyer told you to do this?

How do  you know that your country is angry at you, specifically? What is special or particular about you?

How would government know if you return to your country? can't you live safely in Mandalay, or in Irrawaddy? or someplace other than Yangon?

Do you know of any "similarly-situated" persons who returned to Burma, and were arrested? how did you learn about them?

How would your government be able to harm you? Are they really capable of harming you? Do you believe your government hates you? does it want to punish you?

A soldier pointed his rifle at you. Did he hate you? Did he want to punish you? Was he looking for an excuse to harm you? Why would he target you, particularly?

Mr. Aung was grabbed off of the sidewalk, and forced into the military? How was he harmed? did he suffer a gross invasion of his personal rights?

Did you receive a text from your father? can you open your phone right now, and look for it?

What does NLD stand for?

Your uncle paid a bribe of 500,000 kyats? What was his monthly salary? So, paying 500,000 = one third of his monthly salary? Is it normal for someone to be carrying 500,00 around, in his pocket, when he goes shopping?

How was your WRITTEN STATEMENT prepared? Your lawyer told you to write down your story; you wrote a long story, and then the lawyer made it shorter? 

Your lawyer had an assistant, named Amy? How did you meet Amy? what did she tell you? how much money did you pay her? did she make promises to you? what did she do? She helped to translate? she helped me to make my story shorter, and more relevant?  Is Amy a lawyer? where is she located? ever meet her in person? Who told you to pay her? what did she do for you? she sent  you questions, and asked you to answer?

Your brother went to a police station or was it a military station? Is there an important difference between the two? Each wears a uniform, has a gun, and hates? and wants to punish? 

 Asylum officer questions asked, of a Burmese activist, on August 24, 2025:

Tell me about all of your international travel: for each country visited, what was your immigration status? why not apply for asylum there? did you ever return to the country that you say is dangerous? [that would be your own country] Why would you voluntarily return to a dangerous place?

When did you last depart from your country? What was your last address? Where did you live for each month, for the las 60 months? Let's spend 30 minutes on your addresses, OK?

Why didn't you apply for asylum sooner? why the delay? why delay your departure from your country? why the delay?

When did  you learn about asylum? When did you decide you wanted to apply for asylum?

Tell me about the international travels of your brother: when did he depart, why? where is he now?

Your uncle still lives in Burma? why hasn't he been arrested? He is a minority, isn't he?

Why are  you seeking asylum? What do you mean, "I fear my government"? Why is government angry at you? What are their reasons? More than one reason? 

Were you harmed in your country? how many times? How many times did you suffer physical harm? Which was the worst time?

How many times were you threatened? What do  you mean, "Every day in Burma is a threat"? How many times were you directly, face-to-face threatened?

February 2025 in Yangon: how were you harmed? What impact did that event have on you? Are you still impacted by that event? Ever have "intrusive thoughts" about it? Flashbacks? Nightmares? 

A soldier points his rifle at you. Is that a big deal, or a small deal? Why is that a big deal? What thoughts went through your mind?

Who harmed you? Why? What did he believe about you, as he harmed you?

You suffered harm in December 2024 in Mandalay? who harmed you? How? why? What did he believe about you, when he harmed  you? What thoughts went through your mind? What impact did that event have on you? Does it still, even today, have an impact on you?

Was there a direct, personal, verbal threat? What words were said? Or, was it an indirect threat?

You say you are not a Bamar.? So what? does the soldier care if you are Bamar or not? How does he know your ethnic group? Does your group suffer more than the Bamars?

Can you tell me the event in two sentences? I want to talk about your addresses for 30 minutes, but your harm only for ten seconds, so, you must be brief. If you don't get to the point in five seconds, I will stop listening, and I will interrupt you.

Were you the victim of random violence? The same harm that everyone suffers? Or, because you are not a Bamar, you suffered more harm? What is special about you? Why were you, in particular, targeted?

Does that event, two years ago, still cause you to have repeated, intrusive thoughts about it? In other words, you think about it today, from time to time, even though it is unpleasant? Who wants to have repeated, unpleasant thoughts about the same event?

If you return to your country, what would happen? Who would harm you? Why? What is special about you?

 Asylum officer questions asked of a Burmese activist on August 12, 2025

Tell me about all of your international travel: how long in each country; what was your immigration status there; why not seek asylum there?  After visiting Bangkok, you returned to the country that you say is dangerous? You voluntarily return to Burma, the country you now say wants to arrest you?

Did anyone help you fill out I-589? how did he help you? How was your "Written Statement" prepared? You wrote a long version in Burmese, then, using Google translate, put it into English? You gave it to your lawyer, and he made it shorter?

Can you repeat page one of Form I-589, without looking at it? When did you last depart from Burma? When you enter USA?

You say your government is angry at you, and wants to arrest you? So how come they gave you a passport? How come they let you travel outside of your country? How come you were not arrested at the airport as you departed?

How many times did you apply for visa to enter USA? Does the application ask if you had ever been arrested? Does the application ask how long you planned to stay in USA? Did you have a face-to-face interview at US Embassy? The official asked you if you had ever been arrested? The official asked how long you planned to stay in USA? You lied? Why did you lie?

Did you suffer any physical harm in Burma? how many times? which time was the worst? What happened? Were you hit with a baton? Punched with a fist? Kicked with a heavy military boot?

Who hit you? What was he wearing? Were there emblems or insignia on his arms? any numbers or letters? What words did he say? What else did he say? WEAPONS and WORDS! What weapons and what words?

When you first saw him, What Thoughts Went Through Your Mind? Is "anticipation of harm" sometimes worse than the actual physical harm? For example, getting hit on the head, once, or sitting on a chair for 30 minutes, and you fear at any time maybe he will hit me on the head? Which is worse?

What is your political opinion? What is the platform of the DLC party? What do they want? Did you join it? Why not? What was attractive to you about that party? 

Did you ever express your political opinion in your country? How did you express it? Did anyone notice that you expressed it?

There was a big protest in downtown Mandalay? How did you hear about it? how did you get to the protest? What did you do at the protest? Did you walk anywhere? Carry any banners or posters? Chant any slogans? Distribute any literature? What were you protesting against?

Was the protest violent? Did anyone throw rocks?

Who arrested your brother? Why?

What does section 505A of the Burmese Code say?

Is your government still interested in you? Anyone search for you, recently?

If you return to your country, what would happen? Why do you believe you would be arrested?

Is there anything else?

 Questions asked on August 5, 2025 of an activist from Burma:

How was your Form I-589 prepared? who helped you? How was your Written Statement prepared? who helped you? how did he help?

How many times did you apply to get a visa? who helped you prepare the visa application? Does that application ask if you had ever been arrested?

Did you suffer any physical harm? how many times? When was the first time? when was the second? when was the last? Which was the worst?

Were you ever threatened? How many times? Why do you say that "Every day in Burma I was threatened"? When was the first time? second time? last time? worst time?

You went to a protest in the city of Mandalay? why? what were you protesting against?

Are you suffering any long-lasting emotional harm? any nightmares? Flashbacks?

The soldier was wearing what? on his head was what? any insignia or symbols on his shirt? what kinds of weapons did he have? what kind of boots?

What words did the soldier say? What else did he say? Didn't he say more things? Did he threaten you "indirectly"?

I will ask you some "obvious" questions. This is to help get all of the details out. Why was the soldier angry, that  you were protesting?

What is the mission of the NLD? what were your activities at the NLD? You attended meetings? What was debated at the meetings? At the meetings, did people discuss alternative ways to do things? What would be a good day to  protest?

In Burma, did you ever express your political opinion in public? Did anyone in the government notice? What is a "ward official"? What is his job? Does he employ neighbors to do surveillance on you and on everyone?

In the USA, did you ever express your political opinion in public? Did anyone in your government notice?

What is a Household Registration List? What is a "midnight lineup"? Did anyone ever check the contents of your phone? Is your Facebook account on your phone?

When the soldiers came to your apartment, what did they say? What else did they say? Please describe their uniforms. What words did they say? Why did they threaten you? Why do you say that they wanted to "punish" you?

Does the government monitor social media postings in Burma?

In the USA, does the Burma government monitor what the Burmese are doing? What does ISI mean? Have you heard that  your government arrests people because of their media postings?

Has your government harmed anyone, because they protested? Do you know the name of anyone who was arrested in Burma? 

You heard that your high school friend was thrown into prison? How did this impact you? Did it impact your day-to-day life, afterwards? Do you continue to suffer emotional harm, even today?

How were you able to depart from Burma, if they are angry at you? If you return, what would happen? why would that happen? do you know of any similarly-situated persons?

If you return, how would they know you still have the same political opinion?

You believe there were Informers/Spies/Informants at protests in front of the Burmese Embassy? Who told you that? You believe your government monitors protests in USA? why do you believe that? Who told you that? 

Do you know anyone who criticized your government while outside of Burma, and who then returned to Burma?

Your government has forgotten about you, yes?

Do  you know anyone who was arrested recently, due to his political opinion?  What are prison conditions like?

You had problems in Mandalay? So, why not go live in Irrawaddy or in Shan State?

Did you ever give support to a violent organization? Ever give them even one dollar or a ride in a car? What is "material support"?

Is there anything else? Oh, really what?

Is there anything else?

 Asylum officer questions of an activist from Burma on 8-2-25

Did anyone help you do I-589? how did he help you? Did anyone help you do your "Written Statement"? how did he help you? did you personally fill out I-589? did you review everything, before it was filed? how did you do that?

What does Bamar mean? are you a Bamar?

How many visa applications did you file? anyone help you answer the questions? Were you asked oral questions, at a face-to-face interview at US Embassy?

Did you suffer any physical harm? How many times? When was the first time? what happened? When was Harm #2? When was Harm #3?

Were you ever threatened? how many times? What do you mean, when you say, "Every day in Burma is a threat"? How many times were you directly threatened, face-to-face, or over the phone?

Why do you fear returning?

What does the military do in Burma? Did you protest in the USA? Did you ever join a political party in Burma or in USA? why not?

Aung San Suu Kyi [ASSK] was arrested before 2017? In the 2020 elections, the NLD got what percent of the votes? What party came in second? what party came in third?

The military had a flag in 2020? what color? is there a bird on it?  Did the military retain privileges after the 2020 elections? before the elections? Military always gets 25% of the seats?

ASSK thinks what, about the Rohingya?

Were you threatened in February 2021? NO? I thought you said that every day was a threat in your country

What did the uniform of the soldier look like? what color? what letters? insignia? boots? hat? helmet? long gun? short gun?

What words did the soldier say? what words did the soldier say? why is this a hard question?

Was your father harmed, due to his ethnic group? how? when was he harmed? was he harmed every day of his life?

500,000 kyats = what in US dollars? about $2,000?

what percent of annual income is 500,000 kyats?

Is there a "state of emergency" in Burma? did it end on July 31, 2025?

If you return, why would you be arrested?

did the Ambassador actually receive the letter you say you sent to him? What is his name? how come you don't know his name? why didn't they arrest your father, due to your letter?

Is it true that the government controls less than 50% of the country? so, why not go live where government does not control? 

RTDC means "Return To Dangerous Country"?  why did you voluntarily return there?

Are there "Burmese resistance groups"? They have guns? they are "violent"? You gave them money? what is "material support"  

Is there anything else? Yes? what?

Is there anything else? what?

 Asylum officer questions, asked of an activist from Asian country on July 26, 2025:

Anyone help you do I-589? how did he help? Anyone help you do DS=160? how did he help you?

What is your "Written Statement"? how was it prepared?

Why are you applying for asylum? Did you suffer any physical harm? How many times? Which was the worst experience?

Ever been threatened? how many times? What do you mean when you say, "Every day living in my country is a threat"?

Where were you at the time of your first arrest? walking on the street? sitting at home, reading a book? Who arrested you, and why? What words did the officer say? Inside your home, did you suffer physical harm? 

How were you taken to the police station? What words did the officer say in the police car? Did you suffer physical harm in the police car?   Upon arrival at the station, what did the officer say? Did you suffer physical harm upon arrival?

They put you in a small room? What was it like in that room? What is Exhibit 12? was there a bed? a toilet? lights? windows? rats? what food they give you? any water? 

What questions did they ask? why did they ask about the recent protest? why did they ask about the names of other protesters? why did they arrest  your brother?

Your ethnic group is Hui? If  you walk down the street, in silence, and someone sees you, how do they know if that is your ethnic group? If you speak, how do they know what your ethnic group is?

How did you feel during the days you were held in the small room? Did you talk to your family during those days? How did you feel about that? Upon your release, what did the officer say? How did you get home, after being released?

How did they know what your religion was? how did they know about your political opinion?

They hit your leg six years ago? Does it still hurt today? Wat is a flashback? Did you have a recent flashback to an event in your country?  Does that event affect  you mentally, today? How?

What is your opinion about your government? Why are you scared? why are you fearful? Why does the government hate your religion? why do they hate your ethnic group?

Did you join any political organizations in USA? why did you join? Do you have any evidence that you joined?

You were harmed in City #1? OK, so, why not live in City #2 or in City #3?  

If you return, what would happen?

Were you ever a member of a "violent" organization? What does "duress" mean? what is "material support"? if you don't know, how can you answer questions about those things?

Is there anything else?

 Asylum officer questions July 21, 2025 Part Two of Two

What language did the officer speak? do  you remember what he said? can you repeat it, in Burmese? Can you tell me, in English, what he said?

    Did he make an implied, or indirect threat? How? 

Did he touch you? did a weapon of his touch you?

Upon arrival at your house, he said what? did he harm you inside the house? he took you to police truck? Were you harmed inside the truck? What did he say to you? what did he say to other people who were there?

Upon arrival at police station, what did officer say? any harms or threats? Inside, what did they say?  Any physical harm inside? any threats? Did they harm you, inside?

Did you have any injuries, upon release? go to hospital? If you are not a military supporter, what does hospital think about you? Do you fear the nurse or doctor will report you to the government? Did you have enough money for the hospital?

What effect did your imprisonment have on you? Do you still think about it today? What do you think about? what is a "flashback"?

Did you report this event to the police? why not?

What was the second worst time, that you suffered physical harm? What did you see? What did you hear? Did the soldier have a gold star? a black scar? wearing what on his head? goggles?

How were you injured? Are you still injured?

What words did the man say? Did he make an implied threat?

What is the difference between a direct threat and an implied threat?  Did he say any words? What languge did he speak? can you remember his words? can you translate them into English?

After you answered the questions, did you suffer any harm?

Why did they require you to get permission before departing from the city?  How do you know they do surveillance on you each day? What is dalan?

Why did they harm you? What did they say to you, that reveals their motive?

Why do you support the NLD? what do you like about it? In the last six months, did you do anything to support the NLD? How would anyone know you support the NLD? Did you post anything on Facebook?

If  you return, what would happen? why would that happen? how would they know if you returned?

Is your government still interested in you, after all of these years? 

Do you know any similarly-situated persons who suffered harm in the last six months?  

How would they know if you returned?

Is there anything else?