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I have a Colombian friend who arrived a couple of months ago on a tourist visa. Nice, educated middle-class young lady. Now she's applying for asylum here. Don't know the details, but I was surprised.

Is this a very common phenomenon? What are her chances for approval?

... in response to Colombians Applying for Asylum in US, posted by John O on Oct 11, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

Yes, so common that Colombians aren't even allowed to change planes in the US when enroute to other countries. US recently changed the policy, now people from most other countries can't either, 9/11 precautions, donchakno?, but Colombia has had that restriction for a couple of years because of so many asylum applications they made at the Miami airport. So common that now it's almost impossible for Colombians to get a tourist visa any more. In fact, she's just caused another 50 of her piasanos to have their visa applications denied.

Chances for approval? Maybe about halfway between fat and slim. The US policy varries greatly towards refugees, depending on what country they are from, and Uncle's case reviewers aren't cutting any slack for Colombians. She will have to prove a direct threat aimed specifficly at HER, and for a specific reason (her political activities, member of a racial or religious group that has been the victim of genocide or something like that) not just a general 'Colombia is a dangerous place'.

Can't say that I blame her for trying nor that I neccesarly agree with the US policy (too bad she isn't a Cuban) but that's the way I understand things are. If you want to help her out, get her a referal to the USCC (United States Catholic Conference), they represent a lot of refugee cases. Your local Catholic church can tell you how to contact them.

... in response to Re: Colombians Applying for Asylum in US, posted by Michael B on Oct 11, 2003

My wife has a friend who is here on asylum.  My wife went to school with the woman's sister and became friends with the woman after coming to the US.  The woman was a teacher who was somehow on a FARC hitlist and was granted asylum several years ago.  She is 36 and single and has to work at menial jobs since she isn't certified to teach here.  Isn't exactly a paradise for her.  Plus she can't return to visit Colombia for something like 10 years so she is cut off from her family.

... in response to Re: Re: Colombians Applying for Asylum i..., posted by lswote on Oct 11, 2003

I essentially agree with all the comments on this thread
concerning political asylum for Colombians.

I handled a couple of political asylum cases for Colombians, without success.
In one case, we presented substantial evidence of verbal and written physical threats
by FARC to the asylum applicant, but the judge found that the evidence was more in the
nature of demands for money (extortion) rather than politically-based threats.

The current trend with Immigration Service and the immigration judges is to require
quite specific and compelling evidence of  political or religious motivation for the
putative threats, or a clear showing of persecution because of membership in
a racial or social group, before a claim of political asylum will be granted,
especially to Colombians.

One hope that Colombians living in the US may have is the bill now pending in
Congress for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Colombians, introduced by
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) in May 2003.
This bill does NOT provide any blanket amnesty but does allow Colombians
to temporarily stay in the US without fear of deportation or removal
for "humanitarian reasons".
http://www.theorator.com/bills108/s986.html

Please contact your local Congress Person's office if you wish to support this bill
to help Colombians.

Regards,
GB