When you apply for asylum, you are telling the United States government that you have a credible fear of being persecuted if you return to your home country. One way to help prove your fear is credible is to use country reports. These documents explain the conditions in a country, including from a human rights perspective. The United States Department of State issues these reports about different countries throughout the years, and you or your attorney can find these online.
Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C. has helped hundreds of people navigate the immigration system by assisting them with claiming asylum. We understand how much you and your loved ones may depend on claiming a visa and being able to live in the United States lawfully. Our legal team is here to help you make this happen.
Introduction to Country Reports
Country reports are documents that explain conditions in a specific country. Typically, these reports focus on a particular issue, such as human rights or religious freedom. Asylum seekers can use these materials as evidence that they have a legitimate fear of persecution if they return to their previous or current country. A fear of persecution is a necessary part of the asylum claim the applicant is making.
Who Produces Country Reports?
The United States Department of State periodically publishes reports about the conditions in different countries. These reports might contain information about humanitarian crises, the treatment of various groups like those in the LGBTQ community or who belong to a social class, and conflicts that are occurring or have been resolved. For example, in 2022, the Department of State issued a country report about India, describing the country’s human rights practices.
What Information Is Included in a Country Report?
Country reports might discuss various topics, depending on their title. For example, some of these publications discuss human trafficking, so the information might focus on past reports of human trafficking rates, steps taken to lower the risk, and improvements or lack thereof. Others may provide statistics and evidence of persecution based on someone’s religious or political beliefs.
The Role of Country Reports in Asylum Applications
When someone makes an asylum claim, they say they cannot or will not return to their current country because they fear being persecuted. The feared persecution must be based on the person’s race, nationality, religious beliefs, membership in a particular social group, or political affiliation or opinions.
The reports issued by the Department of State can prove that the country’s conditions pose a current or anticipated safety threat to the applicant. United States immigration officers can use these reports and the other evidence the applicant submits to determine if the applicant has a credible and founded fear of persecution.
How To Use Country Reports To Strengthen Your Case
A country report can be essential and powerful evidence in your asylum claim. You can use it to provide concrete and measured information about your concerns and why you fear persecution. The United States government may be more inclined to accept your asylum claim if you have formal and official data to support your safety concerns.
Limitations and Biases in Country Reports
While the Department of State’s reports can be helpful, they have limitations and are sometimes biased. Since the Department of State may not have reports for every country or publish them regularly, the information you have on the human rights issues for a location may be outdated.
Another potential challenge is that these reports are not always comprehensive, so they may not cover all the details about a type of persecution or the events you are concerned about.
Because of this, it is crucial to have several different sources of evidence to strengthen your asylum claim.
How Immigration Judges Evaluate Country Reports
Immigration judges may review your asylum case to determine if you meet the requirements to seek asylum-based immigration to the United States. Part of what they are looking for includes whether or not you are prohibited from getting a visa because of, for example, your criminal history.
Additionally, they will look at the documents you submitted to the United States government, such as the forms, copies of critical biographical records, medical or psychiatric evaluations, and, if available, country reports. The judge will use these details to decide if you qualify for asylum and have proven you have a credible fear of persecution.
Supplementing Country Reports With Expert Testimony
While country reports can be impactful sources of evidence in your asylum case, they might not be available or have the information you are looking for. One way to further strengthen your asylum case is to have experts testify or speak in support of your credible fear of persecution.
For example, you can talk to an immigration psychologist about your situation, and they can prepare a psychiatric evaluation about your fear of being persecuted. Their assessment might include descriptions of your symptoms, such as depression, trouble sleeping, or heightened anxiety, and how these impact your quality of life. Likewise, qualified medical professionals might examine you and write a report discussing how your persecution concerns have affected your physical health, such as increased blood pressure or other conditions.
Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C.: Our Experienced Asylum Lawyer Can Help
If you are claiming asylum because you are afraid of being persecuted if you return to your country of origin, one way you can support your case is by using country reports. These documents explain different issues, usually centered around human rights, in various countries throughout the years. If you can find a recent one for your home country, you may use this as a piece of objective evidence to show that your fears are valid.
Getachew & Ansari Immigration Attorneys, P.C. is prepared to help you apply for asylum. Many on our team are immigrants, so we understand what the process might be like for you and your loved ones. Medya Ansari is passionate about helping fellow immigrants gain access to the United States, and she stays current on the legal changes to immigration laws. Call her office today at 408-292-7995 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
