African Immigrant Rights Council

November 10, 2025

From the desk of the Executive Officer

Common questions that Asylum Officers ask:
In your country, did you suffer harm or threats? How many times?

Whatdo you mean, when you say, “Every day in my country is being under threat”?

That means: the government hates the people, and harasses, extorts,threatens, arrests, and kills people every day. The government is meanand nasty. Police can come and take you away at any time of any day.

Did you suffer physical harm? How many times? When was the first time?

when was the last time? when was the worst time? When the officer washurting you, what words did he say? Do you remember the words he said? Can you repeat them now?

What WORDS did the officer say?

Were you threatened? how many times? when was the first? when wasthe last? which was the worst? What WORDS did the officer say?

How were the threats given to you?

1] the officer stood three feet awayand shouted at me, face-to-face

2] the officer said threats over the phone

3] the official made threats on television

4] the official made threats on the radio

5] the official made threats in the
newspaper

6] they put megaphones on car