Persecution & harm · 227 terms

Persecution and harm vocabulary: English and Spanish

Asylum testimony is where the respondent's own words carry the case. This module covers how witnesses describe threats, extortion, gang recruitment, violence and the people who did it, in the register they actually use, alongside the legal terms the judge and attorneys attach to that testimony.

Source codes: USCIS means the USCIS glossary and Spanish form instructions, EOIR the Spanish respondent materials EOIR publishes. CF means CourtFluent wrote the rendition and reviewed it; it is not from an official source, so prefer a USCIS or EOIR rendition when one is shown. A rendition shown with an official source is the safer choice on an exam.

EnglishSpanish renditions · sources

18th Street gang: la pandilla 18CF · Barrio 18CF
a reason standard Ninth Circuit nexus standard for withholding (Barajas-Romero), lower than 'one central reason'.: estándar de una razónCF · criterio de una razónCF
abduction USCIS U visa list renders abduction as 'rapto'.: raptoUSCIS · secuestroUSCIS
abuse: abusoUSCIS · maltratoUSCIS
acquiescence of a public official CAT element.: aquiescencia de un funcionario públicoCF · consentimiento de un funcionario públicoCF
aggregate risk of torture Risks from several sources are added up (Quijada-Aguilar v. Lynch).: riesgo total de torturaCF · riesgo de tortura considerado en conjuntoCF
anonymous note: nota anónimaCF · anónimoCF
anti-gang political opinion Usually rejected unless the gang is shown to be a political actor.: opinión política contra las pandillasCF · postura política antipandillasCF
army: ejércitoCF
bandera (gang lookout) Central American word for the kid posted as lookout; 'poste' is the other.: banderaCF
Barrio 18 factions Barrio 18 split in El Salvador around 2005 into Sureños and Revolucionarios; witnesses name the faction.: los SureñosCF · los RevolucionariosCF
beat up: golpearCF · dar una golpizaCF
beating: golpizaCF · palizaCF
business owners targeted for extortion Usually fails on nexus: extortion is treated as criminal, not persecution on a protected ground.: comerciantes blanco de extorsiónCF · dueños de negocios extorsionadosCF
cartel Also written 'cartel' without the accent; 'cártel' is the RAE form.: cártelCF
chequeo (gang probationer) Recruit proving himself before being jumped in.: chequeoCF · aspirante a la maraCF
child marriage: matrimonio infantilCF
circularly defined group A group cannot be defined by the harm its members fear.: grupo definido de manera circularCF
clique Local gang cell.: clicaCF
cognizable social group: grupo social reconocibleCF
collect the rent Gang extortion collection; see rent.: cobrar la rentaCF · pasar a cobrarCF
common-law spouse: convivienteCF · compañera de hogarCF
condoned by the government: tolerado por el gobiernoCF · consentido por las autoridadesCF
could you move somewhere else in your country Common question phrasing.: ¿podría irse a vivir a otra parte de su país?CF
countrywide persecution Relocation is presumed unreasonable when the government is the persecutor.: persecución en todo el paísCF · persecución a nivel nacionalCF
coyote fee Often financed by a mortgage on the family plot.: pago al coyoteCF · lo que cobra el coyoteCF
cross the river: cruzar el ríoCF
cumulative harm Incidents that are not persecution alone may be persecution together.: daño acumulativoCF · daños considerados en conjuntoCF
death squad 'Grupos de exterminio' is the Honduran press term for extrajudicial killing squads.: escuadrón de la muerteCF · grupo de exterminioCF
death threat: amenaza de muerteCF
defined by the persecution itself: definido por la persecución mismaCF · definido a partir del daño sufridoCF
defined with sufficient particularity: definido con suficiente particularidadCF · delimitado con la precisión suficienteCF
delineate the social group Matter of W-Y-C- & H-O-B-: the exact group must be stated before the immigration judge.: delimitar el grupo socialCF · definir con exactitud el grupo socialCF
disappearance: desapariciónCF
disappeared person: desaparecidoCF
discrimination: discriminaciónUSCIS
displacement: desplazamientoCF
domestic violence 'Violencia intrafamiliar' is the legal term in most Central American codes.: violencia domésticaUSCIS · violencia intrafamiliarCF
drug traffickers: narcotraficantesCF · narcosCF
drug trafficking organization: organización de narcotráficoCF · grupo del narcoCF
ethnicity Pleaded under race or nationality; indigenous Maya claims.: etniaCF · origen étnicoCF
evangelical pastor: pastor evangélicoCF
extort: extorsionarCF
extortion: extorsiónUSCIS
extortion call Often from inside a prison.: llamada de extorsiónCF · llamada extorsivaCF
extortion fee 'Cuota' is heard across Central America and Mexico; 'piso' in Mexico.: cuotaCF · rentaCF
extrajudicial killing: ejecución extrajudicialCF
family as a social group: la familia como grupo socialCF
fear of persecution: temor de persecuciónUSCIS · miedo de persecuciónUSCIS
fear of retaliation: miedo a represaliasCF
female genital mutilation: mutilación genital femeninaUSCIS · ablación genital femeninaUSCIS
femicide 'Femicidio' is the Central American legal term; 'feminicidio' in Mexico.: feminicidioCF · femicidioCF
file a complaint: presentar una denunciaCF · interponer una denunciaCF
fled the country: huyó del paísCF · se fue del paísCF
forced disappearance: desaparición forzadaCF
forced labor: trabajo forzadoUSCIS
forced marriage: matrimonio forzadoUSCIS
forced recruitment: reclutamiento forzadoCF · reclutamiento forzosoCF
forced to flee: obligado a huirCF
former gang members Proposed group; Matter of W-G-R- rejected it as not particular or distinct, some circuits differ.: expandillerosCF · exmiembros de pandillasCF
fundamental change in circumstances: cambio fundamental en las circunstanciasUSCIS
gang 'Mara' is the Central American word; keep it when the witness uses it.: pandillaCF · maraCF
gang member: pandilleroCF · mareroCF
gang recruitment: reclutamiento por pandillasCF
gang tattoo Police and gangs both read them; a reason ex-members cannot return.: tatuaje de pandillaCF · tatuaje de la maraCF
gang territory: territorio de la pandillaCF · zona controlada por la maraCF
Garifuna Afro-indigenous people of the Honduran and Guatemalan coast; land-defender claims.: garífunaCF
gender identity: identidad de géneroCF
gender-based violence: violencia de géneroCF
general conditions of civil strife: condiciones generales de conflicto civilCF · situación general de violencia en el paísCF
generalized violence Judges' phrase for harm that is not on account of a protected ground.: violencia generalizadaCF
government acquiescence: aquiescencia del gobiernoCF
green light (kill order) Gang authorization to kill someone; 'le dieron luz verde'.: luz verdeCF
guerrilla: guerrillaCF
guía (smuggler's guide) The person who walks the group across; lower than the coyote.: guíaCF
harassment: acosoCF · hostigamientoCF
harm: dañoUSCIS
he would not let me leave: no me dejaba salirCF
hielera Respondents' word for the cold CBP holding cells; keep it in English with a gloss.: hieleraCF
hit list: lista negraCF · lista de personas a matarCF
hitman: sicarioCF
homeboy Gang member's word for a fellow member; witnesses say 'los homies'. Keep it.: homeboyCF · homieCF
hostage: rehénUSCIS
human rights defender: defensor de derechos humanosCF
human trafficking Do not confuse with 'tráfico' (smuggling).: trata de personasUSCIS · trata humanaUSCIS
humanitarian asylum Severity of past persecution.: asilo humanitarioCF
immutable characteristic English term from BIA case law (Matter of Acosta); Spanish is CF.: característica inmutableCF
impunity: impunidadCF
imputed political opinion: opinión política imputadaCF · opinión política atribuidaCF
incest: incestoUSCIS
indigenous: indígenaCF
informant: informanteUSCIS · soplónCF
initiation 'Brincarse' is gang slang for being jumped in.: iniciaciónCF · el brincoCF
internal relocation: reubicación internaCF · reubicarse dentro del paísCF
internally displaced: desplazado internoCF
involuntary servitude: servidumbre involuntariaUSCIS
K'iche' Maya language; often needs relay interpreting.: quichéCF · k'iche'CF
kidnap: secuestrarCF
kidnapping: secuestroUSCIS
kinship ties Family membership as a social group.: lazos de parentescoCF · vínculos familiaresCF
land dispute: conflicto de tierrasCF · disputa por tierrasCF
lawful sanctions Excluded from the CAT definition of torture.: sanciones legítimasCF · sanciones legalesCF
levantón (cartel abduction) Mexican word for being snatched by armed men; 'se lo levantaron'.: levantónCF
lookout 'Halcón' in Mexico; 'poste' or 'bandera' in Central America.: halcónCF · posteCF
Mam Maya language of western Guatemala; one of the most requested relay languages in EOIR.: mamCF
mass grave 'Fosa clandestina' is the Mexican term for cartel burial sites.: fosa comúnCF · fosa clandestinaCF
massacre: masacreCF
medical records: expedientes médicosEOIR · registros médicosCF
membership in a particular social group 'Pertenencia' is the better Spanish; 'membresía' is the USCIS calque.: pertenencia a un grupo social en particularUSCIS · membresía en un grupo social particularUSCIS
mental abuse: abuso mentalUSCIS
mere harassment Judges' phrase for harm below the persecution threshold.: mero hostigamientoCF · simple acosoCF
migrant caravan: caravana migranteCF · caravana de migrantesCF
military service: servicio militarCF
mixed motives A protected ground need only be one central reason.: motivos mixtosCF · motivación mixtaCF
motive of the persecutor: motivo del perseguidorCF · motivación del agresorCF
MS-13: la Mara SalvatruchaCF · la MSCF
murder: asesinatoUSCIS · homicidioCF
narco: narcoCF · narcotraficanteCF
nationality: nacionalidadUSCIS
nexus Link between the harm and a protected ground.: nexoCF · vínculo causalCF
non-state actor: agente no estatalCF · actor privadoCF
objectively reasonable fear: temor objetivamente razonableCF · temor con base objetivaCF
on account of The nexus phrase.: por motivos deUSCIS · a causa deUSCIS · por razones deUSCIS
one central reason Statutory nexus standard, developed in BIA case law (Matter of J-B-N- & S-M-); Spanish is CF.: una razón centralCF · un motivo centralCF
opposition party: partido de oposiciónCF
organized crime: crimen organizadoCF · delincuencia organizadaCF
palabrero MS-13 clique leader, the one who 'has the word'.: palabreroCF · jefe de la clicaCF
paro (gang helper) Non-member who does favors for the gang; Honduras and El Salvador.: paroCF · colaborador de la maraCF
particular social group: grupo social particularUSCIS · grupo social determinadoUSCIS · grupo social en particularUSCIS
particularity English term from BIA case law (Matter of M-E-V-G-); Spanish is CF.: particularidadCF
partner 'Compañero de vida' is common in El Salvador.: parejaCF · compañero de vidaCF
past persecution: persecución pasadaUSCIS · persecución en el pasadoUSCIS
pattern or practice of persecution Systematic persecution of a group; 8 CFR 1208.13(b)(2)(iii).: patrón o práctica de persecuciónCF
perceived as a group by society Social distinction element.: percibido como grupo por la sociedadCF · reconocido como grupo en su sociedadCF
perrera (CBP holding cage) Respondents' word for the chain-link holding pens at Border Patrol stations (literally 'dog pound'); keep it with a gloss, like hielera.: perreraCF
persecute: perseguirUSCIS
persecution: persecuciónUSCIS
physical abuse: abuso físicoUSCIS · maltrato físicoCF
piso (extortion fee, Mexico) 'Cobrar piso', 'pagar el piso': cartel extortion of businesses in Mexico.: pisoCF
plaza (cartel territory) 'Controlan la plaza'; not the town square in this sense.: plazaCF · territorio del cártelCF
police collusion with gangs: colusión de la policía con las pandillasCF
police corruption: corrupción policialCF
police inaction: inacción policialCF · la policía no hizo nadaCF
police report: denunciaCF · reporte policialCF
political activist: activista políticoCF
political neutrality Refusing to take sides can be a political opinion in some circuits.: neutralidad políticaCF
political opinion: opinión políticaUSCIS
pollo (smuggled migrant) Smuggler's word for the migrant, hence 'pollero'.: polloCF
post-traumatic stress disorder: trastorno de estrés postraumáticoCF
prolonged mental harm CAT mental torture element.: daño mental prolongadoCF
protected ground Race, religion, nationality, political opinion, particular social group.: motivo protegidoCF · causal protegidaCF
protection money Mexican usage.: cobro de pisoCF · derecho de pisoCF
protective measures Central American court term.: medidas de protecciónCF
psychological abuse: abuso psicológicoCF · maltrato psicológicoCF
psychological evaluation: evaluación psicológicaCF
PTSD: trastorno de estrés postraumáticoCF
public official acting in an official capacity CAT element.: funcionario público en el ejercicio de sus funcionesCF
Q'anjob'al Maya language of Huehuetenango; frequent relay language.: q'anjob'alCF · kanjobalCF
race: razaUSCIS
random criminal violence: violencia delictiva al azarCF · delincuencia comúnCF
ranfla (gang leadership): ranflaCF · cúpula de la maraCF
ranflero Member of the 'ranfla', MS-13's top leadership, often directing from prison.: ranfleroCF · líder nacional de la maraCF
rape: violaciónUSCIS
raped: violadaCF · abusada sexualmenteCF
reasonableness of relocation: razonabilidad de la reubicaciónCF
rebut the presumption: refutar la presunciónCF · desvirtuar la presunciónCF
rebuttable presumption of a well-founded fear Arises from past persecution; 8 CFR 1208.13(b)(1).: presunción refutable de temor fundadoCF
recruit: reclutarCF
refuse to join: negarse a unirseCF · no querer entrar a la pandillaCF
religion: religiónUSCIS
religious persecution: persecución religiosaCF
rent (extortion payment) Gang word for the extortion fee in El Salvador and Honduras; witnesses say 'la renta'.: rentaCF
report to the police: denunciar a la policíaCF · poner una denunciaCF
restraining order: orden de restricciónCF · medida de protecciónCF
retaliation: represaliaCF
rises to the level of persecution: alcanza el nivel de persecuciónCF · llega a constituir persecuciónCF
rival gang: pandilla rivalCF · mara contrariaCF
rogue officials Matter of O-F-A-S-: torture by officials acting in a private capacity is not under color of law.: funcionarios que actúan por su cuentaCF · agentes corruptos aisladosCF
self-defense group (Mexico) Michoacán and Guerrero vigilante militias.: autodefensasCF · grupo de autodefensaCF
serious harm: daño graveCF
severe economic deprivation Matter of T-Z-: deliberate imposition of severe economic disadvantage.: privación económica graveCF · privación económica severaCF
severe harm: daño severoUSCIS · daño graveCF
sex trafficking: trata con fines de explotación sexualCF
sexual abuse: abuso sexualUSCIS
sexual assault: agresión sexualUSCIS
sexual harassment: acoso sexualCF
sexual orientation: orientación sexualCF
similarly situated Persecution of family members or others similarly situated.: en situación similarCF · en circunstancias parecidasCF
smuggler: coyoteCF · polleroCF · traficante de personasCF
snitch: soplónCF · sapoCF
social cleansing Killings of suspected gang members and street people by police or vigilantes.: limpieza socialCF
social distinction English term from BIA case law (Matter of M-E-V-G-); Spanish is CF.: distinción socialCF
specific intent to torture Matter of J-E-: the torturer must intend the severe pain.: intención específica de torturarCF
stalking: acechoUSCIS · acosoCF
stash house Where smugglers hold migrants; 'casa de seguridad' is the Mexican press term.: casa de seguridadCF · bodegaCF
state actor: agente estatalCF · actor estatalCF
subjective fear The applicant genuinely fears return.: temor subjetivoCF
suffering: sufrimientoUSCIS
taca (gang nickname) El Salvador and Honduras.: tacaCF · apodo de pandillaCF
ten percent chance of persecution INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca: a well-founded fear can rest on a one in ten chance.: una probabilidad del diez por ciento de persecuciónCF
the boys (gang members) Euphemisms witnesses use for gang members; 'los bichos' is Salvadoran. Render the euphemism, not 'gang members'.: los muchachosCF · los bichosCF
the burden shifts to the government After past persecution is shown, DHS must prove changed circumstances or reasonable relocation.: la carga de la prueba pasa al gobiernoCF · la carga de la prueba se traslada al gobiernoCF
the government is the persecutor: el gobierno es el perseguidorCF · el persecutor es el propio EstadoCF
the journey north: el viajeCF · el caminoCF
the river (Rio Grande) Mexicans say 'río Bravo'; Central Americans often just 'el río'.: el ríoCF · el río BravoCF
the route (migrant route) The smuggling corridor north through Mexico.: la rutaCF
the train (La Bestia): la BestiaCF · el trenCF
they killed him: lo mataronCF
they told me they would kill me: me dijeron que me iban a matarCF
threat: amenazaCF
threaten: amenazarCF
threatening message: mensaje amenazanteCF · mensaje de amenazaCF
threats alone Unfulfilled threats rarely amount to past persecution unless menacing and specific.: amenazas por sí solasCF · solo amenazasCF
torture: torturaUSCIS
tortured: torturadoUSCIS
trauma: traumaUSCIS
turned myself in At the border, to Border Patrol.: me entreguéCF
unable or unwilling to control Private-actor persecution standard from BIA case law (Matter of Acosta); Spanish is CF.: incapaz o no dispuesto a controlarCF
unable or unwilling to protect: incapaz o no dispuesto a protegerCF
under color of law: so color de leyCF · bajo apariencia de autoridad legalCF
war tax Older Central American term for gang extortion.: impuesto de guerraCF
whistleblower Exposing government corruption can be a political opinion (Grava v. INS).: denuncianteCF · persona que denuncia la corrupciónCF
willful blindness CAT acquiescence includes officials who turn a blind eye (Zheng v. Ashcroft).: ceguera deliberadaCF · ignorancia deliberadaCF
witness to a crime: testigo de un delitoCF
witnesses who testify against gangs Group recognized in Matter of C-A- only when the cooperation is public.: testigos que declaran contra las pandillasCF · personas que testifican en contra de la maraCF
women unable to leave their relationship Matter of A-R-C-G- group; overruled by A-B- (2018), reinstated 2021.: mujeres que no pueden salir de su relaciónCF · mujeres que no logran dejar a su parejaCF
young men who resist gang recruitment Matter of S-E-G- found the group too broad; still pleaded constantly.: hombres jóvenes que se resisten al reclutamiento de pandillasCF · jóvenes que se niegan a entrar a la maraCF

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