Persecution refers to the well-founded fear of physical or economic harm, among others. 1 In order to gain refugee or asylum status, it is imperative that the petitioner establish clearly well-founded fear to the officers of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the immigration judge. Well-founded fear can be based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 2 However, the term well-founded fear is not defined very clearly; therefore, the term well-founded fear is subject to many different interpretations. 1 In most cases, evidence that shows that the petitioner will be subject to physical harm, economic harm, as well as evidence that shows that the petitioner will be coerced to do
…show more content…
1 Likewise, if the petitioner is claiming coercion, he or she must show that the consequences of refusal would have a significant impact on the individual’s life or basic freedoms. 1 Generally, the consequences that the petitioner fears must be considered “Severe” in order to qualify as a persecution. 1 Some examples of persecutions could be deprivation of liberty, food, employment, and other basic needs. 1 Moreover, the petitioner must show that the threat of persecution is a personal threat based on the five protected grounds and not a threat that is shared by the general population within that country. 1 For example, In cases where the persecution has economic consequences, the petitioner must show that there would not be any other opportunities for him or her in their country in order to survive. The reason as to why the petitioner must show that there exist severe circumstances is because refugee and asylum status is intended for extreme cases only. It is not intended for cases in which people are simply dissatisfied with the current situation of their own country. If the U.S. Government would grant asylum or refugee status to people, who are facing threats that are shared by the general population within their countries, then the U.S. would risk overloading the boat, which would reduce the opportunities for U.S. Citizens and legal immigrants to obtain employment and other
1 Likewise, if the petitioner is claiming coercion, he or she must show that the consequences of refusal would have a significant impact on the individual’s life or basic freedoms. 1 Generally, the consequences that the petitioner fears must be considered “Severe” in order to qualify as a persecution. 1 Some examples of persecutions could be deprivation of liberty, food, employment, and other basic needs. 1 Moreover, the petitioner must show that the threat of persecution is a personal threat based on the five protected grounds and not a threat that is shared by the general population within that country. 1 For example, In cases where the persecution has economic consequences, the petitioner must show that there would not be any other opportunities for him or her in their country in order to survive. The reason as to why the petitioner must show that there exist severe circumstances is because refugee and asylum status is intended for extreme cases only. It is not intended for cases in which people are simply dissatisfied with the current situation of their own country. If the U.S. Government would grant asylum or refugee status to people, who are facing threats that are shared by the general population within their countries, then the U.S. would risk overloading the boat, which would reduce the opportunities for U.S. Citizens and legal immigrants to obtain employment and other