Grant of Political Asylum to Chin Christian from Burma
We are happy to report that an immigration judge in Miami, Florida granted an application for political asylum that we filed on behalf of a client from Burma. Cing is a member of the Chin ethnic tribe. She is a practicing Christian as are most members of the Chin ethnic community. In 1988, military authorities in Burma killed her father after he left his post as a village chief to lead members of his community in widespread protests that broke out across Burma to oppose the military rulers then in power. He was one of thousands of people killed after the government sent in soldiers to suppress the demonstrators. Members of the army harassed Cing’s mother for years after that, coming to their home demanding food and livestock and other material possessions.
Cing’s brother was killed some years later. Shortly thereafter, Cing’s mother fled with her children to India where the rest of her family remains. Cing eventually made her way to the United States and requested political asylum. We presented evidence to the court that conditions in Burma have not changed since Cing’s family left. The military government continues to persecute the Chin people on the basis of their ethnic identity. They continue to target Christians for harassment and abuse. Anyone with past or present involvement in politically opposing the military government or affiliation with political opponents or ethnic opposition forces is subject to severe reprisals. We presented evidence that Cing, given her ethnicity, her religion and her status as the daughter of a protest leader who was killed for his activities, would be singled out and subjected to almost certain humiliation, detention, physical violence and even death. The immigration judge agreed. Cing is tremendously relieved and has determined to dedicate as much time as she can to helping other Burmese refugees who are trying to rebuild their lives here in the United States. We are awed and inspired by all that she had endured and know that she will flourish now that she does not have to worry about her immigration status. We wish you all the best Cing.
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