When I accompany asylum applicants to their interviews to determine whether they meet the eligibility guidelines, they are told that no one outside the room and the supervisor knows what is on their application. In that way, applicants are assured they are protected from those who would harm them, usually governments. In fact, federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of asylum information to third parties.
There are, of course, certain extremely limited exceptions, such as an agreement with Canada for persons denied in the U.S. who reapply in Canada and certain criminal information to be shared with INTERPOL, but only at the discretion of DHS.
Imagine their surprise – horror is a better word -- when Iranians returned to Iran and the government, the one we are bombing, is told they are dissident, LGBT, or in some way are “enemies” of the regime. In other words, we release the reason they applied for asylum here in the U.S. in contravention of law. Why don’t we just line them up against the wall and shoot them? Certainly less costly and probably more humane.
Prayer for the Day
Seeking refuge, they come, for life, for protection,
For we have promised asylum to those seeking freedom;
But caught in traps engendered by leaders sowing fear,
They find that we are breaking our promise.
Hold us, O God, to who we claim to be,
A people who obey your call and our own laws.
In the name of the One who condemns hypocrites,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Information contained in or pertaining to any application for refugee admission, asylum, withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Act, or protection under regulations issued pursuant to the Convention Against Torture's implementing legislation, records pertaining to any credible fear determination conducted pursuant to § 208.30, and records pertaining to any reasonable fear determination conducted pursuant to § 208.31, shall not be disclosed without the written consent of the applicant, except as permitted by this section or at the discretion of the Attorney General.
8 CFR 1208.6
Because as servants of God’s kingdom you did not rule rightly, or keep the law,
Or walk according to the purpose of God,
God will come upon you terribly and swiftly,
Because severe judgment falls on those in high places.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:4-5