Journalist7
Banned
Well I am more than 1 month in USA and didn't apply yet. I am working with my lawyer and preparing the case.
The things I've taught so far from lawyer and case to case study is that:
1. Don't tell asylum officer multiple things which can confuse him. If you've beaten by police, if you are gay, if you are religious leader and you have multiple cases don't overload officer. It will lead you that your case will be transferred to court because officer would find it difficult to judge on his/her own. Try to focus on one main thing and mention because of this and many other things I am asking for asylum and if officer asks what those other things are then continue.
2. Always do expert analysis about the situation in your country. Pay experts to give you review about your country. For example if John Doe from Muslims Strategic Studies institute in NYC or whatever says in written form that there is risk that in your country representative of this group (you belong to) might be prosecuted then this is reference for officer. Because imagine that if you are from Burkina Faso and you are questioned by officer who even doesn't know where the hell Burkina Faso is how he/she would know there is democracy, human rights respected, violence or what's happening, so office will always have a look at experts review. This is crucial believe me.
3. Try to translate and notarize everything you have in your original language. Even if you have video evidence that you are beaten don't just submit DVD. Officer may miss it or doesn't pay attention to it. Include transcription and ask notary to notirize that transcription is complied to original language in video.
4. Officer is human being on the interview if you have bruises on visible areas you can spontaneously point him/her to it showing your past injuries.
Remember your asylum decision depends whether officer believes you or not. Forget about law, rules, attorney. You may say total bullshit to officer and she/he may believe you and you may say truth and in that manner that you can be refused. So be focused be honest looking, don't start remembering things, try to know everything before going to interview. Know even birthday of your spouse's mother. Everything what you've indicated in application
5. Follow logic, explain why you may be under prosecution. Saying concrete names is very good. For example "my colleague Brian Berdan was arrested and it raised concerns of political prosecution" name concrete dates, persons, refer to famous publications, like say that it was published in New York times that current government might not be protecting intentionally group or people I belong to. If you know famous and respectful person who said something about your situation name it. For example if NATO general blamed your government for possible political prosecution, name it. It is influencing.
6. If your colleagues working in the same area are also abroad ask them to give you letter why you might be prosecuted. Good if it is notirized in US or abroad and with US embassy Apostil
So this is so far.
I am still experiencing and learning so I hope to apply before March and by that time I will be well prepared.
What do you thing. I know you are very experienced here on this forum. Do you share your opinion on mine?
thanks
The things I've taught so far from lawyer and case to case study is that:
1. Don't tell asylum officer multiple things which can confuse him. If you've beaten by police, if you are gay, if you are religious leader and you have multiple cases don't overload officer. It will lead you that your case will be transferred to court because officer would find it difficult to judge on his/her own. Try to focus on one main thing and mention because of this and many other things I am asking for asylum and if officer asks what those other things are then continue.
2. Always do expert analysis about the situation in your country. Pay experts to give you review about your country. For example if John Doe from Muslims Strategic Studies institute in NYC or whatever says in written form that there is risk that in your country representative of this group (you belong to) might be prosecuted then this is reference for officer. Because imagine that if you are from Burkina Faso and you are questioned by officer who even doesn't know where the hell Burkina Faso is how he/she would know there is democracy, human rights respected, violence or what's happening, so office will always have a look at experts review. This is crucial believe me.
3. Try to translate and notarize everything you have in your original language. Even if you have video evidence that you are beaten don't just submit DVD. Officer may miss it or doesn't pay attention to it. Include transcription and ask notary to notirize that transcription is complied to original language in video.
4. Officer is human being on the interview if you have bruises on visible areas you can spontaneously point him/her to it showing your past injuries.
Remember your asylum decision depends whether officer believes you or not. Forget about law, rules, attorney. You may say total bullshit to officer and she/he may believe you and you may say truth and in that manner that you can be refused. So be focused be honest looking, don't start remembering things, try to know everything before going to interview. Know even birthday of your spouse's mother. Everything what you've indicated in application
5. Follow logic, explain why you may be under prosecution. Saying concrete names is very good. For example "my colleague Brian Berdan was arrested and it raised concerns of political prosecution" name concrete dates, persons, refer to famous publications, like say that it was published in New York times that current government might not be protecting intentionally group or people I belong to. If you know famous and respectful person who said something about your situation name it. For example if NATO general blamed your government for possible political prosecution, name it. It is influencing.
6. If your colleagues working in the same area are also abroad ask them to give you letter why you might be prosecuted. Good if it is notirized in US or abroad and with US embassy Apostil
So this is so far.
I am still experiencing and learning so I hope to apply before March and by that time I will be well prepared.
What do you thing. I know you are very experienced here on this forum. Do you share your opinion on mine?
thanks