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Basic Procedural Manual for Asylum Representation Affirmatively and in Removal Proceedings

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Basic Procedural Manual for Asylum Representation Affirmatively and in Removal Proceedings BASIC PROCEDURAL MANUAL FOR ASYLUM REPRESENTATION AFFIRMATIVELY AND IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS June 2019 224 South Michigan Avenue Suite 600 Chicago, Illinois 60604 Phone 312-660-1370 Fax 312-660-1505 www.immigrantjustice.org TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * ACRONYMS AND TERMS .................................................................................................................................. 4 INFORMATION ON THE PRO BONO PROGRAM .......................................................................................... 5 THE NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER ..................................................................................................................... 5 NIJC’S CLIENTS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 WHAT PRO BONO ATTORNEYS CAN EXPECT FROM NIJC ................................................................................................... 6 WHAT NIJC EXPECTS FROM PRO BONO PARTNERS ............................................................................................................. 6 OBTAINING A CASE ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 FIRST STEPS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 THE BASICS OF ASYLUM LAW ....................................................................................................................... 9 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 JURISDICTION OVER ASYLUM APPLICATIONS .................................................................................................................... 10 LEGAL TEST FOR ASYLUM/REFUGEE PROTECTION ............................................................................................................ 10 Legal Test For Well-Founded Fear ..................................................................................................... 11 Definition of Persecution .................................................................................................................... 11 Government Actor .............................................................................................................................. 12 The Nexus ........................................................................................................................................... 12 The Five Protected Grounds for Asylum ............................................................................................ 13 Past Persecution .................................................................................................................................. 16 Internal Relocation .............................................................................................................................. 16 Future Fear Only Claims ..................................................................................................................... 17 ALTERNATIVES TO ASYLUM ....................................................................................................................... 18 WITHHOLDING OF REMOVAL .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Legal Standard for Withholding of Removal ...................................................................................... 18 CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Definition of Torture ........................................................................................................................... 19 CAT Standard of Proof ....................................................................................................................... 20 Procedure for Raising CAT Claims .................................................................................................... 20 VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Master Calendar Hearing .................................................................................................................... 21 Conclusion of the Merits Hearing ....................................................................................................... 22 BARS TO ELIGIBILTY FOR ASYLUM, WITHHOLDING AND CAT ....................................................... 23 THE ONE-YEAR FILING DEADLINE ..................................................................................................................................... 24 THE TERRORISM BARS ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 FLOW CHART: STEPS IN THE ASYLUM PROCESS ................................................................................. 27 THE ASYLUM PROCESS .................................................................................................................................. 28 DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 28 PREPARING THE ASYLUM CASE .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Step One: Interviewing The Client .................................................................................................... 29 Step Two: Preparing the I-589 ............................................................................................................ 31 Step Three: Drafting the Affidavit ...................................................................................................... 32 National Immigrant Justice Center June 2019 1 Step Four: Obtaining Witnesses ......................................................................................................... 32 Step Five: Compiling Corroborative Evidence .................................................................................. 34 Step Six: Preparing the Cover Letter or Pre-Hearing Brief ............................................................... 36 FILING THE APPLICATION AND PRESENTING THE CASE ..................................................................................................... 37 The Affirmative Process ..................................................................................................................... 37 The Defensive Process ........................................................................................................................ 39 THE APPEAL TO THE BIA ................................................................................................................................................... 54 FEDERAL COURT REVIEW ................................................................................................................................................... 55 ADVISING THE CLIENT AFTER ASYLUM IS GRANTED ........................................................................ 56 DERIVATIVE ASYLUM FOR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN........................................................................................................... 56 ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT AND A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ................................................................................ 57 PUBLIC BENEFITS ................................................................................................................................................................. 58 TAXES .................................................................................................................................................................................. 58 RIGHT TO TRAVEL ............................................................................................................................................................... 59 LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE STATUS ........................................................................................................................ 59 CITIZENSHIP ......................................................................................................................................................................... 60 SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION ................................................................................................................................... 60 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................... 61 OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION...................................................................................................................... 61 Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................ 62 When To File .....................................................................................................................................
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