As a part of the asylum process, applicants go through the interview, where USCIS officers ask questions and take notes. If things go well for the applicant, and the asylum is granted, then that chapter ends happily for the applicant, who can reside in the United States and the government, that can be proud because it protects victims of political persecutions. Sometimes things are not going well for the applicant, and the application is denied. The denial can be reviewed by the immigration court, where the applicant can ask the court to disagree with USCIS determination. To ask the court more effectively, the applicant, among other things, needs to be truthful and persuasive. Truthfulness and persuasion, in turn, require applicant’s position to be consistent. One way for applicant to ensure such consistency is effectively followed (i.e. not affected by the fading memories, which is a part of human nature), is to review government records. Of course, in order to review records, an applicant must first ask for them, utilizing the procedure known as Freedom of Information Act Request, or FOIA. FOIA label is the reminder to the USCIS (a part of Executive branch), that in openness of government is essential…
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