Political asylum is the right of individuals who are persecuted by their own government to seek protection in a foreign country. The term is derived from the ancient Greek word asulon (asylon) meaning “sanctuary.”
Many reasons drive people to seek asylum, including persecution, gang activity, war, extreme poverty, natural disasters, and sexual or physical violence against a spouse or children. Those seeking asylum should provide a detailed explanation of their situation to the Asylum Officer. They must also prove that there is a safe place inside their home country to live, which they have been unable to locate or access because of danger or harm from the police or other people in their community.
Applicants are typically interviewed by an Asylum Officer who has little or no familiarity with the case. As such, it is often a good idea for your client to bring an interpreter with them to the interview, if possible. In addition, it is helpful to conduct one or more “mock interviews” with your client before the actual interview in order to give them practice testifying and a chance for another attorney who is not familiar with the case to play the role of the Asylum Officer.
The Immigration Court will generally allow your client to submit additional evidence at the individual hearing if it would help them establish that their case for asylum is strong. In most cases, the judge will provide a deadline for the submission of such evidence.
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