Country conditions (or country of origin) information is an important component in the immigration, asylum and refugee processes. This information provides evidence to support claims of persecution, past (or future) harm, and help provide context and credibility.
Types of Sources of Information
Before you start your research
Helpful Manuals
Researching and Using Country of Origin Information in RAIO Adjudications (USCIS 2019)
Researching Country of Origin Information (ACCORD 2013).
Ninth Circuit Immigration Outline (2020).
Immigration Court Practice Manual (Executive Office for Immigration Review).
The Convention and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees defines a refugee as a person who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country ... ."
This guide focuses on research and resources relating to refugees, migration, human rights, and related issues, such as displaced persons.
Research guides are good sources to consult before and during a research project since they often discuss research methodology and strategy and highlight important print and electronic sources. Listed below are some guide on researching refugee law as well as researching related areas, such as human rights, treaties, and asylum law.
International Human Rights (UC Berkeley Law Library)
These sources are good places to start your research, define terms and concepts, and learn about other materials on point.