róisín_dubh (12,469 posts)
My experience with DHS today
Without divulging much, I want to share a personal experience I had with DHS today. I've been around these parts for a very long time (I think it was just my 22nd anniversary at DU, something like that...anyway). Some of you may know that I've got expertise in the Americas more generally and on human rights. I sometimes do country conditions reports for asylum seekers, who need these reports to strengthen their cases when going in front of immigration judges. Now, I generally don't like to testify because I have horribly anxiety- like, I can lecture in front of a class, I can have my research questioned by experts in my field, but put me in front of a lawyer or judge and I'll freak the **** out. No idea why, but it's why I knew I'd be a better researcher than lawyer.
Anyhoo, I've done a number of these reports, but I've never been called to testify. My reports are either sufficient to help the client's case or, well I don't know what happens. But I've never had to actually testify. Tonight I was ready. I had my prep last week, I spent my entire day reviewing stats and going over some finer points just to ensure I didn't trip over anything. I even wrote down why I'm an expert despite having left academia a few years ago and moved to abroad to take on a different, non-academic role (which, frankly, is none of anyone's business because I keep publishing in my field...but I digress).
I sat by my laptop waiting and refreshing my email for the client's lawyer to let me know it was my turn to hop on Webex and do my thing to help the client with my country conditions report. And I waited. And I waited. 35 minutes in, the lawyer contacted me that DHS submitted a motion to pretermit. I had no idea what that means, as it's not my job to know how the US immigration system works- or doesn't ****ing work as the case may be. But what that means is that the judge can just toss out the case and slate the person for deportation on technical grounds (usually) or on the grounds that the claimant doesn't meant the qualifications for asylum. So the lawyer and the DHS goons were duking it out while myself and the other expert waited. And waited. And waited for another hour.
And the judge tossed the case and the client will be deported to almost certain death.
And I'm ****ing sick with rage.
Thank you for reading my rant. I had to get it off my chest so I could go to sleep, because it's very late here.
https://democraticunderground.com/100221484351
Ten bucks says the numb nuts is lying.
