Evanston, IL immigration attorney Alen Takhsh talks about the common mistakes asylum seekers make. He explains that a common mistake asylum seekers make when filing their applications is providing only a brief paragraph or two describing why they fear returning to their country of origin. He emphasizes that such minimal detail cannot adequately convey the depth or gravity of the reasons for their fear.

To rectify this, he advises applicants to be as thorough and detailed as possible. The key is to start with the fundamentals: who, what, when, where, why, and how. By addressing these questions, a simple statement like “they beat me” can be expanded into a compelling, detailed account. For instance, applicants should specify who was involved, where and when the incident occurred, how the attack was carried out, where they were struck, whether any instruments were used, if they sustained injuries requiring medical attention, and, if so, which hospital treated them.

By answering these fundamental questions, a brief statement can evolve into multiple paragraphs that vividly describe what happened, giving the trier of fact a sense of witnessing the event firsthand. This level of detail strengthens credibility and makes the applicant’s statement significantly more persuasive.