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 .....................................................................................................................................