Fear of Persecution in DC LGBTQ Asylum Applications
When LGBTW individuals are trying to obtain asylum, they may be doing so due to a fear of persecution in their county of origin. Although in some cases, it may be easy to prove a country’s dangerous environment for a particular group of people, it could prove difficult for other applicants who do not possess the correct knowledge to go about doing so. If you require help with proving a fear of persecution in DC LGTBQ asylum applications, be sure to reach out to a trusted immigration attorney.
Examples of Persecution Experienced by LGBTQ Individuals
LGBTQ individuals often present a case in which their country is likely not to protect them precisely because they are members of a social group recognized by their sexual/gender identity. It is often the case where the country of origin has strict laws prohibiting LGBTQ members from expressing their sexual/gender identities. For more information, be sure to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible.
Documentation an Applicant Should Have Available
Anyone who is considering applying for asylum because of their membership in the LGBTQ community is recommended to have any hospital records, police records, and articles pertaining to the persecution they have experienced or that is ongoing in their country of origin which has caused them to have a well-founded fear of future persecution. An attorney would also request that applicants bring as much evidence with them as possible to present the most effective case going forward.
How does the USCIS Evaluate a Person’s Fear of Persecution?
The USCIS asylum office evaluates fear of future persecution as a fear that must be well-founded and reasonable, which means that the fear must have a rational basis. For instance, if the country of origin has never had any known issues in regard to the persecution of LGBTQ individuals and the applicant has suffered no past persecution then there is no evidence to support a well-founded fear of future persecution.
Fear of future persecution may be difficult to prove if country conditions have changed and now the government is able and willing to protect the asylum applicant from any future persecution. If the country conditions have changed and the asylum applicant’s claim is now debatable, it may be difficult for that asylum applicant to show fear of future persecution.
However, if the applicant does have a well-founded fear of persecution, and that fear is reasonable and based on facts, that applicant should be able to use those facts to show that while changes are occurring, they still have a well-founded fear.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
One of the main benefits of hiring an attorney with experience in dealing with LGBTQ asylum claims is that, with the help of a lawyer, you may be able to anticipate the arguments that would need to be presented to establish that there has been past harm or fear of future harm. An attorney could also assist with the preparation of an asylum application by helping you obtain the evidence necessary for providing or supporting claims made within your asylum application.