African Immigrant Rights Council

FROM THE DESK OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SHARIFA KALOKOLA

December 24, 2025

Asylum denied: applicant distributed non-violent flyers for an armed group 45 years ago

Mr. Ghanbari lived in Iran in 1980, when he was 15 years old. He helped an armed, violent group known as the MEK. Ghanbari distributed non-violent flyers for the group: this gave “legitimacy” to the group. He knew the group was violent, and he did not disassociate himself from it. Held: no asylum.

 The Court said, in essence, “We don’t care if you were non-violent; did you assist others, who were violent? Matter of Ghanbari,  29 I&N Dec 376 [BIA 2025]

= = = = = = = =  =

MORAL OF THE STORY: be prepared to answer these questions:

              “Did you give any assistance, or help, to an armed group? Even if the armed group had a non-violent wing or division, did you help any part of the group?”

              “Did you give information to members of an armed group? Did you give one of them a ride in your car, or let them sleep in your house?”

No asylum for what a 15-year-old did, 45 years ago! This is indeed harsh.