Thread by @RachelMcGonagi1

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus So, apparently this is happening, whether it's a good idea or not (it's not), whether or not it violates refugees rights (it does), and whether or not it's a good use of DHS resources (it isn't.)

CBP Agents have no business doing Credible Fear Interviews.
nyti.ms/2JqLKig

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus Starting next week, 10 CBP Agents will start receiving training to conduct CFIs in Los Angeles. They're gonna gets weeks of training, says the Director of USCIS, whose agency *should* be performing these CFIs.

And why aren't they? Why don't they just hire more Asylum Officers?

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus Ohhh, it's Stephen Miller's brainchild. It all makes sense now.

Even one of the Senior Border Patrol Officials rightfully protested, "I don't want to be Judge Dredd."

cnn.com/2019/05/08/pol…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus As was previously noted, having CBP be the arresting officer, the prosecutor, judge AND jury will have a HUGE deleterious effect on how many refugees pass their Credible Fear Interviews &make it on to the next step in the asylum process.

Which is, of course, the entire point.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus When added in combination with news about new, stricter guidelines handed out about Credible Fear Interviews and How To Thwart Them, this whole thing stinks to high heaven.

reuters.com/article/us-usa…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus I have a lot to say about these new USCIS guidelines--which will definitely result in fewer people passing a CFI--and will share my Deep Thoughts soon.*

For one, no one knows if this is what will be used to train up the CBP Asylum "experts."

*after lunch
tmsnrt.rs/2VJPtOk

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus One other thing (for the nonce) about CBP Agents pretending to be Asylum Officers. I've attached US law on what Asylum Officers are supposed to be trained in, and how they're meant to be supervised. USCIS and CBP are saying these "new CBP-AOs" are legal, but...I bet they aren't.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus Okay, my head is mush from the USCIS training manual, searching for what turned out to be a non-existent doc, + re-reading Sessions garbage, reading the 1951 UN Treaty on Refugees & our own laws. And I'm only half way through the manual.

So let's just do this before I fry!

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 The training manual is for a "class" on "Credible Fear of Persecution and Torture Determinations."

There's no indication on how long this class lasts--1 day? A week? Two? It's gonna be a REALLY important part of the job of the Asylum Officer, so one hopes it's comprehensive.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d Just as a "heads up," this is what the basic 5 1/2 week Asylum Officer course includes for all newbie AOs at USCIS. It's a pretty full schedule. History AND ethics. My oh my!

Also note: special training sessions on working with kids, women and those who might've been trafficked.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro (They're also meant to get subsequent training of at least 4 hours every week on one of topics listed above. How likely do you think those CBP-AOs are to get that supplemental training, never mind the whole 5.5 weeks of the AOBTC? Yeah, me neither.)

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro Back to the Manual.

My suspicion is immediately raised bc while the "purpose" is to suss out if someone's Fear is Credible or no, according to a whole series of rules &regulations, there's nothing in the Performance Objectives or Critical Tasks about learning to do an interview.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro That seems a glaring omission.

The 1st few pages mostly deal with determining who's eligible for expedited vs non-expedited removal & what that means exactly, and there's a recent case that AG Barr referred to himself that muddied the waters enough that it's all very confusing.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro So we're skipping it.

Onward!

Section III - Function of a Credible Fear Screening

We're off to a great start, with the function described as a way to get rid of those pesky false claims lickity-split, oh, and let the possibly real ones through, too, sure.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro Section IV - Definition of Credible Fear of Persecution and Credible Fear of Torture

This is where shït gets infuriating. Cuz where usually, the standard is for the person requesting asylum to express a CREDIBLE FEAR of returning home that's then explored in court later...

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro these jackwagons want the refugee to PROVE, on the spot, that their claim is valid.

Look...

1. Just that statement in part A above, that "...credible fear of persecution only if 'there is a significant possibility...[they] could establish eligibility for asylum...'" is nuts!

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro 2. A big chunk, because of how the terms "significant," "possibility," and "credible" are later defined. But I'll get into that in a minute.

3. Section V pretty much proves it, though.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro Section V - Burden of Proof and Standard of Proof for Credible Fear Determinations

A. This is where I went searching in vain for an hour, only to realize the blue underlined 340 is a page # and not another AG self-referred decision. 🤦🏻‍♀️

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro But! It was educational. And! I found a discrepancy, which is why I looked. Peep the two things side by side: page 340 of Sessions' decision last July, and Barr's (or whoever's) regulations now.

In last year's decision, proof had to be given to the AO, immigration judge OR BIA.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro NOT just to the AO.

Was it worth the hour I wandered the wasteland to point this out? Maybe.

In case you don't remember, here's the matter Sessions referred to himself. The one about domestic violence that got overturned in Dec & the DoJ is appealing.

aila.org/File/DownloadE…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro The next bit honestly made me laugh. A disbelieving bark of a laugh, but still.

"Non-adversarial manner" indeed.

That's hard enough when you're talking to traumatized people, often not in their native language (how many AOs know Qechi?) when they don't know what happens next.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq But if you're a refugee who was "apprehended" (even if you turned yourself in) at the border, and your arresting officer, or someone with their uniform, their attitude starts asking you questions, challenging your answers, and isn't perhaps very kind? How forthcoming will you be?

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq How likely are you to stumble over your answers? To forget details or get them mixed up? Were you raped or assaulted? Do you have PTSD? Your perception of time and events could be scrambled.

slate.com/news-and-polit…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq How likely are you to worry that any wrong answer might get you locked up...away from your children?
.
.
.
Where are your children anyway? Are they with you? Or have they been removed? How does that affect your ability to relate the details of your trauma?
apa.org/news/apa/2018/…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Once we get past the ludicrously naïve idea of a non-adversarial interview, we move on to the refugee's verbal testimony.

It's got to be airtight, apparently. "Credible," "persuasive" and contain "specific [somehow verifiable?] facts."

This is the initial interview, mind you.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq And then! These new guidelines say AOs can REQUIRE the refugee provide actual evidence to back up their claims. Not that they will provide to the immigration judge when their case is adjudicated, oh no. TO THE ASYLUM OFFICER. Just to decide whether they get to SEE the judge.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq The best part of that? The citation on the side, as if it means anything. As if US law somehow allows for this egregious lack of humanity & ethics.

You must recognize it by now.

Nothing in there about evidence for the AO. The opposite, in fact.

It says STATEMENTS, USCIS!

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Onward!

In addition to the refugee's STATEMENTS, the AO MUST take into account other relevant facts, such as country conditions, when making a credible fear determination. This info about country conditions can come from many sources, including news agencies, international orgs.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Requiring country conditions be taken into account makes Sessions' dismissal of Northern Triangle women being allowed to claim asylum due to domestic abuse completely abhorrent.

UN Human Rights Report on Violence Against Women in Central America:
unhcr.org/56fc31864.pdf

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Define "significant possibility":

Not a "mere possibility." Not a "minimal possibility," but a "significant possibility." There is, apparently, no middle ground, like, "pretty good possibility."

A "significant possibility" requires MORE than "significant evidence."

Obviously.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq VI - Credibility

What, really, is credibility? What does USCIS think it is? They're likely two very different things. But this "course outline" or whatever takes a valiant whack at it nonetheless.

AOs are meant to make a determination after ALL facts have been elicited...

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq (a), which really shouldn't be part of an initial INTERVIEW, be neutral and unbiased and keep their personal feelings to themselves (b), which just, what? Maybe USCIS AOs, but CBP-AOs? No way.

teenvogue.com/story/border-p…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Third, the AO is supposed to make a decision based on the "specific facts" presented by the refugee, regardless of whether the refugee in question has told them that the way the CFI is set up has made it impossible for them to share those specific facts.

Set up to fail ✅

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq If you are an Asylum Officer, you may think your immigrant-cum-refugee is lying to you. There are so many ways their story could be incredible!

Check for internal consistency--did they say something differently to your buddy Jim who arrested them?

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq External consistency--they say they're 20 years old, but their birth certificate says 19! (Oh, sure, they claim it was a government error, but who's fooling who?)

Plausibility--Their whole family was killed? And they were raped? Four times? Sure. 🙄

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Demeanor--If all that's true, why do they look so shifty?

Candor--And why did I have to ask half a dozen times before they told me about the rapes, huh?

Responsiveness--Now they're just shutting down and won't answer any questions. Guess they really don't want to be here.....

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq The next section explains how to resolve these problems with credibility: just keep asking more questions. Confront the refugee about inconsistencies & be a sport: give em a chance to explain. If their explanation is reasonable, it could mean their whole case WON'T be dismissed!

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Now that "credibility" is sewn up, let's tackle "establish."

VII - Establishing A Credible Fear of Persecution

Requires Refugee proving 3 things:
1) That they've been harmed
2) That things haven't changed--they'll be harmed again
3) Relocating w/in country won't help

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq "Establish" means you've got the facts...but...what is "fear"? Even more complicatedly, what's a "well-founded fear"?

Good question, readers, & tbh, USCIS doesn't know the answer. Oh, they TRY & educated their young AO padawans, but it's doomed to failure for one simple reason:

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq FEAR is subjective.

This manual dances rilly rilly hard around that basic fact, even uses INS vs Cardoza-Fonseca (1987) as a reference (which I just read, fam: see how much I love you!), which held that "well-founded fear" is different from a "more likely than not" standard...

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq used an outlandish example of a literal decimation to make the point that even 10% of a population being persecuted is HUGE.

But the manual some drags this along, beating the dead case for three pages...

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Before finally admitting that, yeah, fear is subjective.

BUT ONLY IF TOTALLY BACKED UP BY FACTS!

Okay, guys, we get it. Objectivity is totally your watchword. 🙄

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq In Which The Refugee Becomes a Mind Reader!

Or, at least, needs to prove the motives of whomever has been or will be persecuting them. I love this game!

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Ahhh, and now, the particular persecutor in question needs to be either a government entity, or an entity the government has abdicated its roll in trying to control or punish, the meat of the case Sessions self-referred and decided meant domestic abuse victims weren't eligible.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Of course, as many, many people have pointed out, domestic violence is almost NEVER prosecuted in Central America. Women have zero recourse with the law.

abcnews.go.com/International/…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq I mean....

nytimes.com/interactive/20…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq But I digress.

Next point: a) Did you stay in your country too long? Then you obviously weren't afraid enough!

b) At least they're honest enough to admit there are actual real reasons why people don't leave the 1st second after something bad happens.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Did you go back home for some reason? Bad you! You're obviously not afraid enough!

(Oh, sure, it was to try to get one of your siblings out of a gang, and you almost died in the attempt, but still, you went back....)

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Or couldn't you just, like, have moved to another city? It's not as if your whole country is a violent, gang-choked, women-killing, drug-cartel-running, starving hell hole.

Oh.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Summing up:

In order to Establish a Well-Founded Fear of Persecution, you-Refugee must be able to prove in a Credible Fear Interview, all of the following:

1) Your fear is "well-founded"--See decimation for details
2) Your persecutor is motivated by your asylum characteristic

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq 3) Your Persecutor is a government entity, or else the govt won't stop them from persecuting you
4) You left your country promptly after being persecuted
5) And didn't go back
6) And couldn't go back, even somewhere different; really, it's bad...
and finally...

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq 7) The harm you suffered in your country was sufficiently serious to actually be considered "persecution"

I neglected this one earlier, all excited about Cardoza-Fonseca, but...there is no explanation for what constitutes "sufficiently serious," so your guess is as good as mine.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq VIII - Establishing a Credible Fear of Torture

The big thing about establishing a CF of torture, is that the bar is higher at final hearing, and thus they've raised it here. A refugee has to establish a "more likely than not" standard that they'll be tortured if returned home.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq The definition of torture as used here requires:

1) pain & suffering
2) that's intentional
3) used to elicit information/confession or to punish/intimidate or for any reason based on discrimination
4) done by the govt or someone on behalf of the govt

I bet #4 stops many claims.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Say your situation meets all those items, &you're afraid it will happen again if you go back, and your interrogator, er, interviewer even believes you!

You're still not out of the woods, alas. Cuz they're about to add some qualifiers on those points.

Like, was the pain SEVERE?

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq I....am not sure how anyone, sitting in an interview room somewhere in the United States, could factually establish 2.d. to anyone's satisfaction.

Perhaps one of you has an idea because I am fresh out.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq And it's awesome to know that the death penalty is off the table as far as using it to establish fear of being tortured elsewhere. Too bad people in the US are literally being tortured to death by the state, and SCOTUS doesn't GAF.

slate.com/news-and-polit…

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq The next part fleshes those characteristics out:

1) Specific Intent mean that negligence doesn't count, even if it fücked you up bad. They had to WANT to fück you up.

2) Not every little thing is torture. We're not going to tell you what torture is, tho, or even give examples.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq 3) Mental pain & suffering though, sure: it could be done with psychotropic drugs, or threats, or rilly bad physical harm!

4) Torturers better be Officials or they don't count. Seriously. But if your torturer is your boyfriend AND a cop, you are shït out of luck (in blue.)

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq 5) If you had yerself a not-public-official torturer, well, now you have to prove the government not only knew about it, but acquiesced. But maybe they weren't *acquiescing*, but just...impotent. Didya ever think of that?

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq I do not honestly know what to make of this next section:

F. Past Harm, wherein in mysterious author argues that someone who has been tortured in the past does not necessarily meet the required threshold for "Credible Fear of Torture," and then one paragraph later says they do.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Last bit on torture:

G. Internal Relocation, aka "Can't you just live in the countryside or something?"

Even our odd author realizes this is a ridiculous proposition (in red) after having spent 3 pages making sure the whole country's govt knew who was torturing you and why.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq IX. Bars to Asylum

Stuff may come up in the interview that might--EVENTUALLY--bar that person from asylum. These issues have absolutely NO IMPACT on the Credible Fear Interview. But you gotta take notes on em. The immigration judge will want to know.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Last Section, we're almost there!

X - Other Issues

Dependents, like children or spouses, are allowed to be part of a refugee's CFI...unless USCIS for some indiscernible reason says no. Which they can do, apparently. Also, the AO is supposed to ask *each member* of the family,

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq alone, if they want to, about whether they're victims of torture, domestic violence, sexual assault, etc.

If I'm a mom who just crawled my way over 1500 miles to get my kids away from a violent hellscape to what I thought was a safe place, just to have us all be arrested, and

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq kept in an icy prison-like setting, there's no way I'm letting my 4 year old daughter go off in another room alone with the man who's all chummy with our arresting officers, #sorrynotsorry. She stays here.

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq Other Other Issues:

The refugee can consult with someone before or during the Credible Fear Interview. This person can be a friend, relative, clergy member, lawyer or representative.

The AO will write up a summary of everything the refugee said, read it back to the refugee,

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq allow for corrections if any.

This is a cute one: the Unseen Hand tries to do an end run around the court overturning Session' A-B- decision on domestic violence victims in Central America not being eligible for asylum based on "social group."

"Well, officers can recognize...."

@SecNielsen @ACLU @ifindkarma @axidentaliberal @SirineShebaya @mle_goldman @ImmJusticeNOW @DemocracyStorm @jomareewade @Norberta36 @lfkraus @funder @TheRickyDavila @DanaScottlo @ScottHech @qjurecic @LegalAidNYC @ReichlinMelnick @SusanBChurch11 @HMAesq @TrinityResists @TrisResists @JynErso_Patriot @JainaResists @Alyssa_Milano @gtconway3d @IlhanMN @RepEscobar @RepJayapal @JeffMerkley @RepBarragan @RepRaulGrijalva @RepAOC @RepBarbaraLee @DWStweets @JulianCastro @RepJeffries @repjohnlewis @RepDebHaaland @BryanDawsonUSA @TheLoyalO @ManInTheHoody @maydaymindy9 @Mikel_Jollett @AdamParkhomenko @AdamaEsq And that's it, folks! A right ripping load of dreck, designed to let as few people as possible pass the very FIRST gateway into safety.

I'm sure it'll be fine. No unintended consequences whatsoever.

fosterglobal.com/blog/five-chil…