Aslyum Article- Academic

My article was on LGBT asylum claims. It begins by pointing out that many of the people searching for asylum here in the USA are doing so to avoid persecution for their sexual orientation. It also makes sure to note the prejudice against people doing so, and the difficulty that comes in when attempting to prove it. Inappropriate questions and bullying often occur in the process of questioning and the article argues that this should be stopped and the asylum seekers be given the same assumptions that religious persecution asylum claims are given. The article explains the basics of the Immigration Judge (IJ) role and how they can either be an empathetic and informed helper, or an uniformed or prejudiced wall to entry. Either way they may end up asking questions that are uncomfortable or full on inappropriate, and often they are off-base due to stereotypes, during attempts to substantiate the asylum claim. The article also explains the basics of the asylum system here in the US, and what constitutes eligibility. It goes on to describe how some lawyers encourage clients to play up on and dress in a western stereotype of an LGB person, and how there have been criticisms for both this and the IJ’s relying on stereotypes and judging based on them. It further details the account of a young woman seeking asylum as an LGB person and the struggles she went through. The article continues on in this manner providing information from various sources to give a full picture of the law and its issues regarding LGB asylum.

This article seems left to left center to me, there is some empathetic language but also a strong basis in law. It reports with logic and facts but also engenders some sympathy for those going through the asylum process, particularly those doing so for LGB reasons.