Asylum Petitions are made within the United States. More specifically, asylum is an immigration benefit granted in the United States. A similar relief can be granted outside of the United States, although we refer to that benefit as refugee status.
One of the special features of an asylum petition is that it is not only a request for a benefit. It can also be a ground for relief from removal (deportation). In essence, and at its core, an asylum petition seeks protection from persecution by others outside the United States. However, to be successful in an asylum claim, some elements must be present.
Making a petition for an asylum requires that the applicant demonstrates a well-founded fear of persecution based on one (1) of 5 enumerated grounds.
5 Enumerated Grounds for a successful asylum petition
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Membership in a particular social group
- Political opinion
The applicant must show that one of these 5 enumerated grounds was or will be the central reason for persecution. When the application for asylum is made, the grounds for asylum must be particularized to the individual making the application. Trying to bootstrap a claim that may apply to all members of a particular class is not sufficient grounds for asylum. Neither are countrywide conditions that do not rise to the level of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, and membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Asylum petitions based on race
To show an applicant is the target of race persecution, and individual must show, supported by evidence, that a. the applicant is the part of that race and b. that the central motive of the persecution was in fact the race membership.
To show a. the applicant can submit evidence of birth, or testimony by witnesses as to the affiliation. Applicants can also submit expert testimony by someone who is considered by the community as an expert in race relations.
To show b. the applicant must show that the attackers central motive was their race. This can be difficult to show in some cases as the applicant is placed with the burden of showing the intent of an attacker or a group of attackers. This evidence can be shown by testimony, newspaper articles, studies, police reports, lawsuits, etc.
Asylum petitions based on religion
Just as an asylum petition based on race, the applicant must show membership to a religion. This can be achieved by testimony of official church documents, or by letters of religious leaders documenting the applicant’s subscription to the religion.
The applicant must also show that the reason for the attacks or threats are motivated by the applicant’s practice of religion. As noted, this can be difficult to show as the applicant must show the intent of the attacker or group of attackers. In some circumstances, disputes that arise from different religious ideologies can be shown by historical evidence; however, the United States government and judiciary often require more direct evidence than solely a historical account of a dispute.
Asylum petitions based on nationality
Although asylum petitions based on nationality are not as common (asylum petitions based on ethnic groups are more common), they are a viable option. For example, Nepalese nationals experience some tensions in China. Thus, if they can show persecution, the United States may grant an asylum claim.
Asylum petitions based on membership in a particular social group
Membership in a particular social group is often the more common argument presented in Asylum petitions. We believe this is due to the fact that particular social groups can be formed by country conditions. Female victims of domestic violence in Guatemala are considered one such social group. Thus, if a Guatemalan woman can show persecution by her domestic partner, she may be successful in a properly filed and documented asylum petition.
Other recognized social groups have been found to be form on bases of sexual orientation, women of El Salvador, child soldiers, etc.
Asylum petitions based on Political Opinion
Political opinion arguments must raise to the level of persecution. Opposition politics (speaking against a government) may raise to the level of asylum. On these cases, the persecution element tends to be stronger.
What are not grounds for asylum?
Economic conditions are not one of the five enumerated factors and are not sufficient in and of themselves enough to be considered grounds for asylum. Neither is prosecution (prosecution is different from persecution) in a foreign country.