Understanding What Happens During a Credible/Reasonable Fear Interview

Overview of Asylum Third Country Transit Bar

Immigration Justice Campaign
As of July 16, 2019, non-Mexican asylum seekers who enter the U.S. via the southern land border are barred from asylum if they did not apply for and receive a denial of refugee status in a third country en route to the U.S. This overview explains the bar and its implications, as well as the limited exceptions to the bar.

Notes for Post-Asylum Transit Bar CFI - Positive Decision

Immigration Justice Campaign
The Asylum Officer's notes and decision, and related materials, for a Credible Fear Interview conducted after the asylum third country transit bar went into effect. The transit bar bars from asylum almost everyone who crosses the southern border into the U.S. after July 15, 2019. The applicant was found to be subject to the transit bar, and interviewed based on the higher "reasonable fear" standard. The applicant received a positive decision.

Notes from Post-Asylum Transit Bar CFI - Negative Decision

Immigration Justice Campaign
The Asylum Officer's notes and decision, and related materials, for a Credible Fear Interview conducted after the asylum third c0untry transit bar went into effect. The transit bar bars from asylum almost everyone who crosses the southern border into the U.S. after July 15, 2019. The applicant was found to be subject to the transit bar, and interviewed based on the higher "reasonable fear" standard. The applicant received a negative decision.

Mock Credible Fear Interview

Immigration Justice Campaign
In this video, an Asylum Officer conducts a credible fear interview with a detained asylum seeker, whose attorney is also present.

Asylum Officer's Notes from Credible Fear Interview

Immigration Justice Campaign
The Asylum Officer's notes and summary of a credible fear interview. The format, and some of the questions, are standardized, so this is a very helpful tool to use in preparing for a credible fear interview.

USCIS Guidance on A-B- and CFI in Light of Injunction in Grace v. Whitaker

USCIS
On December 19, USCIS released guidance to Asylum Officers in light of the injunction in the Grace v. Whitaker litigation. This guidance instructs Asylum Officers on how to handle domestic violence and gang-related asylum cases, as well as asylum cases in which the applicant fears a non-governmental persecutor.