In this continuation of the Instruction Series on various forms of “Relief from Removal,” Immigration Attorney Magdalena Cuprys, Esq. examines the Deportation Defense Remedy known as Deferral of Removal
Relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) is the third form of relief an individual fearing persecution may seek. As per another remedy, withholding of removal, Deferral of Removal may only be granted by an Immigration Judge (IJ), and not by an Asylum Officer.
The individual applicant bears the burden of demonstrating that it is more likely than not that they will be tortured if removed to their country of origin.
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has found that torture “must be an extreme form of cruel and inhuman punishment” … that “must cause severe pain or suffering.”
There are no bars to eligibility (i.e. criminal violations, etc.) for relief under CAT. The major advantage of CAT is that there are no bars to eligibility under this defense to deportation. Therefore, since the treaty itself does not contain any bars to its mandate of non-return, even those convicted of an aggravated felony may still make claims for relief if they do in fact fear torture upon their forced removal from the United States to their country of origin.
Additionally, as mandated by asylum laws, applicants seeking Deferral of Removal are not required to establish that their fear of torture is based upon an enumerated ground, i.e. on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Immigration regulations create two separate types of protection under CAT.
The first type of protection is another form of withholding of removal under CAT. Withholding of removal under CAT prohibits the return of an individual to their home country. This status can only be terminated if the individual’s case is reopened and if the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) establishes that they are no longer likely to be tortured in their home country.
The second type of protection is known as “Deferral of Removal under CAT.” Deferral of removal under CAT is a more temporary form of relief. Deferral of removal under CAT is appropriate for individuals who would likely be subjected to torture, but who are ineligible for withholding of removal, such as persecutors, terrorists, and certain criminals. This status can be terminated more quickly and easily than withholding of removal if the individual is no longer likely to be tortured if forced to return to their home country. Additionally, an individual granted deferral of removal under CAT may be detained by the DHS if they are deemed to be a threat to the community.
Like regular withholding of removal, the benefits to both forms of CAT relief are limited. An individual who is successful under a CAT claim cannot be removed from the United States to the country from which they fled persecution, but they can be removed to a third country if one is available. Further, an individual granted CAT cannot adjust their status to that of a Lawful Permanent Resident, however, they may apply to obtain employment authorization.
The standard of proof under the CAT is higher than the standard for asylum. The applicant must prove that it is “more likely than not” that they would be tortured if forced to return to their country. The evidentiary proof for torture is very similar to the proof for asylum or withholding claims.
Individuals seeking relief under the CAT must bring their claims before an IJ. The procedure for filing a claim under CAT will differ depending on certain factors, including the status of an individual’s case. If the applicant is filing for asylum, they should request relief under withholding of removal and CAT in their Form I-589 and should include the following information:
The type of torture they are likely to experience if forced to return to his/her country;
Any past instances of torture that they have experienced;
Any past instances of torture experienced by close family members and associates; and
Documentary support showing related human rights abuses by the government of their country, such as: the U.S. State Department’s Human Rights Country Reports, Amnesty International Reports, Human Rights Watch reports, and reports from other human rights monitoring groups, etc.
If the applicant has already filed for asylum, but did not mention withholding of removal and CAT, they should supplement the application with the above information.
Remember that relief under CAT is not as beneficial as asylum or withholding. It is generally used primarily by those applicants with serious criminal convictions who may benefit from CAT relief. Thus, while most applicants file for asylum, withholding and CAT in the alternative, unless the applicant is statutorily ineligible for asylum or withholding, it is unlikely that the CAT claim will be a principal component of their case.
Magdalena Cuprys is the principal attorney of Serving Immigrants, a full-service immigration law firm offering a complete range of immigration services to both businesses and individuals.
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