Guidelines: Preparing for Refugee or Asylum Case Interview

In order to be interviewed and processed for resettlement, you must first register with the regional office of High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

At the time of your registration be prepared for a brief, ,3-5 minute interview that may determine your status as a refugee.

Remember that the United Nations and the US Department of Homeland Security only recognize refugees as those persons who can “establish that they have suffered past persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion as specified in INA §101 (A)(42).”

Ordinarily, Steps for Resettlement, consist of the following:
Step 1. Refugee must register with one of the above-mentioned humanitarian agencies.
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Step 2: At the time of registration there will be a very brief interview of 3-5 minutes to determine if you qualify for protected Status as a refugee.

Step 3: Once qualified you will be called for a follow-up interview at a later date (unspecified) to obtain more information about your status;

Step 4: You will then be subjected to third interview that will be extensive.

Step 5: If you pass the third interview, your case will be referred to an adjudication officer representing the country of your resettlement choice.

Step 6: Once you have passed the adjudication interview, your case will be referred to the International Organization for Migration(IOM) to arrange for your health check and for transportation to the final destination in your chosen country of resettlement.

Step 7: You will await the Admission Visa which will be issued upon satisfactory results of a complete security background check.

Step 8: Upon your arrival in the country of resettlement, you will be received by either a humanitarian aid agency or a faith-based organization.

We are offering the following as guidelines to ease your anxiety and to assure that you will respond to the interview questions, truthfully and completely. Please read them carefully and heed their advice.

GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR INTERVIEWS OF REFUGEES

Be as calm and relaxed as possible. Always make eye contact with examiner Directly respond to questions asked. Do not initiate any comments on your own. You can be dramatical and use body language.

Bring all documents to the interview relating to your case, including any authenticated documents, baptismal certificates, marriage certificates, case- related photographs, any written or photographic evidence documenting your case.

Keep in mind that the interviewing officer is well informed regarding your country of origin and type of violence and persecution taking place in your country of origin.

Respond to each and every question that the interviewing officer will ask , for this interview will determine the future status and, ultimately, your fate and that of your family .

Be specific and provide details regarding your case, including but not limited to: dates, times, locations, who was present, etc. Remember that if the examiner asks for details respond as completely as possible, small details that you feel are not important may be of extreme importance. Only answer what is asked of you.

Be very consistent regarding time, date, place of incidents and all other details relating to your case. Please be advised that interviewers are trained to look for inconsistencies in your stories. Sometimes, they will repeat questions for the purpose of comparing your responses and determining if you are, in fact, telling the truth. You must be 100% truthful, credible and convincing – this is the essence of your case. DO NOT EXAGGERATE, OVERSTATE or over-dramatize your case.

Do not interject the stories of others, or the unfortunate circumstances you may have endured in the country of refuge; FOCUS ONLY ON YOU AND THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WILL BE CLAIMEDAS REFUGEES WITH YOU.

Be certain that your spouse is aware of all issues and details of your case.

Be prepared to answer the interviewer’s seemingly irrelevant questions about the name of your local church; your pastor; the types or words of prayers you might say in Surroth or Aramaic; religious observances or practices. There is a reason behind every question; answer respectfully, completely and truthfully.

Be prepared to name birth place including village and province.

Do not, under any circumstances, withhold information from the examiner because you or another family member may be embarrassed or shamed. This information might be very important in establishing your status as a refugee, and will, of course, be held in strictest confidence by the examiner and the agency or organization, he or she represents.

Be prepared to respond why you cannot return and go to a safe area in Iraq.

Be very specific about how you fled Iraq.

Do not be afraid to express your patriotism toward your country, or feel ashamed that you cannot return.

Dress appropriately and present yourself as though attending a church event or a business meeting.

IMPORTANT:
Refrain from adding or embellishing any of the responses you may give to the examiner.
Do not go into details unless you are asked for specifics.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to ingratiate yourself to the examiner by making such comments, such as:
- you are not loyal to the current government of Iraq;
- you evaded military service in Iraq;
- you were involved in a criminal act or fraud, but cleared;
- there is no security in Iraq, however, if you were targeted as a Christian you must so state; or, you fled Iraq because of a lack of jobs and/or business opportunities or medical services or schools.