What does membership in a particular social group mean?

What does membership in a particular social group mean?

A “particular social group” normally comprises persons of similar background, habits or social status. A claim to fear of persecution under this heading may frequently overlap with a claim to fear of persecution on other grounds, i.e. race, religion or nationality.

What are the grounds for asylum?

An asylum claimant must demonstrate persecution based on one of the five protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion).

What is political opinion in asylum?

Political Opinion. The UNHRC broadly defines political-opinion grounds for asylum as incorporating “any opinion on any matter in which the machinery of State, government, society, or policy may be engaged.”

What is matter Lea?

Matter of L-E-A-, Respondent 581 (A.G. 2019) (“L-E-A- II”), is vacated in its entirety so as to return the immigration system to the preexisting state of affairs pending completion of the ongoing rulemaking process and the issuance of a final rule addressing the definition of “particular social group.”

What are examples of social groups?

As a person, you may belong to many different types of groups: a religious group, an ethnic group, your workplace colleague group, your college class, a sports team, etc. These groups can also be called social groups.

What is a particular social group in immigration?

Particular social group (PSG) is one of five categories that may be used to claim refugee status according to two key United Nations documents: the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.

What is the standard of proof for asylum?

The burden of proof is on the applicant for asylum to establish that he or she is a refugee as defined in section 101(a)(42) of the Act. The testimony of the applicant, if credible, may be sufficient to sustain the burden of proof without corroboration.

How do you win an asylum case?

You’ll need to show that you fit the legal definition of a “refugee”—that is, that you are unable or unwilling to return to your home country because of having experienced persecution or having a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of at least one of five grounds: either your race, religion, nationality.

What is Matter AB?

On June 11, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jefferson Sessions issued a decision called Matter of A-B-. In this case, Sessions reversed a grant of asylum to a Salvadoran woman “Ms. A.B.”, who fled her country after enduring severe domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband and father of her three children.

Is Matter of ARCG overturned?

June 2018: the former Attorney General issues Matter of A-B-, which overrules A-R-C-G- on procedural grounds because the former AG found the decision was a product of DHS concessions and not the application of law by the BIA.

Is Family particular social group?

(BIA) and U.S. courts of appeals have consistently found that a family unit can constitute a particular social group.

What are the three standards of proof?

Every one has heard of the phrase “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” But there are three primary standards of proof: preponderance of evidence; clear and convincing evidence; and reasonable doubt.

How do I make my asylum case stronger?

Strategies for Improving Chances of Qualifying for Asylum You must show that this persecution was (or would be) inflicted on you because of one or more “protected grounds”: your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

How can I speed up asylum process?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

Where can I find BIA decisions?

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) The BIA is located within the EOIR. BIA decisions may be appealed to the Federal courts. **BIA decisions since 2000 are available on the EOIR website (see below).

What was Matter of AB II?

In Matter of A-B- II, 28 I&N Dec. 199 (AG 2021), days before the end of the Trump administration, the attorney general issued a second decision elevating the nexus standard by stating that the protected characteristic must be more than a “but for” cause for the harm.