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?

 Asylum officer questions to a Burma activist on 7-21-25

Part One of Two 

  Did anyone help you do I-589? how did he help you? Anyone help you write your Written Statement? how did he help?

  Any new documents for me, today?

When did you last depart from your country?

Can you repeat page one of I-589 without looking at it?

Why are  you seeking asylum?

Ever been harmed or threatened? How many times did you suffer physical harm? What was the worst time?

   What was the second worst time?

Did you suffer any economic harm? What?

Did you suffer any emotional harm?

True or false: the anticipation of harm can be worse than the harm itself?

January 2025: You saw a man? wearing what? what color were his pants? his shirt? carrying a pistol? a baton? a rifle?

Any letters on his shirt? any numbers? any symbols, such as a white star or gold star? a triangle with two arrows in it?

 Asylum Officer questions to an activist from Burma July 9, 2025  Part One of Two

Tell me the three worst events that happened to you! which is the worst, and which was the last?

Did anyone help you do I-589? how did he help you? Did anyone help you with your "Written Statement"? how did he help you?

Do you have any more documents for me ,  today?

Can you repeat page one of Form I-589 without looking at it?

What is Form DS-160? how many times did you fill one out? when was the first time? is everything in it true? It asks if you have a "social media" presence? you have a Facebook account? Instagram account? Have you used social media platforms in the past 5 years?

In the DS-160, it asked "Intended length of stay in U.S."? 
 "Do you have any relatives in U.S."? "Your previous employers"? "Your previous education"? "International travel"?

DS-160 asks: "Have you ever been arrested?" "Did you give money to a violent organization?"

did you have a face-to-face interview with an official at US Embassy? You were asked "What is your intended length of stay in US?" "Have you ever been arrested?"

Why do you fear returning to your country? why do you fear your government? what would happen if you return tomorrow?

Why would government harm you? what is your political opinion? how does the government know you have this opinion? how did you express it in your country? how have you expressed it in US? If you return, would you express it again?

Why would government harm you?

You say you "protested." Does that mean you walked on the street, chanting anti-government slogans and carrying a large poster that had anti-government words on it? What language was the poster in? Can you draw me a picture of it, right now?

Where was the first protest? who organized it? how did you learn that it would happen? when did you arrive at it? who else was there?

Does the government require getting a permit, before  you can protest?

When did you first decide to protest? What did government do, that makes you angry? Why does that make you feel angry?

Were you ever harmed in your country? any physical harm? emotional harm? economic harm?

Ever been threatened? One kind of threat is face-to-face. Are there other kinds of threats? Is living in your country every day a threat? Everyday, was there a threat of being arrested?

What did government say on television about what would happen if you protested?