SAN FRANCISCO,CA: Immigration Judge Lawrence Dicostanzo granted political asylum to Jaswant Singh and Jasbir Singh, both claiming membership in the All India Sikh Student Fed creation and been persecuted for their political opinion of seeking to break away from India to form an independent state called Khalistan.
Jasbir Singh came from London with an altered passport. He was detained at Santa Rota Jail for nearly two months before his case came up fora hearing. He had no documents nor had any expert or a lay person witness ‘to prove his Case. He claimed persecution by the Punjab police on several occasions and moved to England where he applied for asylum without any success. INS general attorney Richard Cunan represented the INS,
Jaswant Singh came to United States on Sept20,1991 with proper visa documents, at Los Angeles. His case was initiated by a Los Angeles attorney but moved to San Francisco later, he claimed he was in police custody for over two years on false charges of murder. He was acquitted but not released until 10 months later, He was examined by a doctor in El Sobrante for extensive injuries as a result of police brutalities. His own testimony without any expert witness or documents over a period of three hours including extensive questioning by the Judge about his arrests, treatment in jail, murder trial, brought a verdict in favor of Jaswant Singh,
Davinder Singh came to United States on July 11,1992 without valid immigration papers. He applied for asylum with the director asylum office in San Francisco. He claimed to be a member of the AISSF, He was subjected to brutalities by Punjab Police in 1990 & 1992 at Pauala. He expressed his fear based upon past persecution that he will be killed if he was to return to India. He was granted asylum on Aug.30,1993 and shall be eligible to apply for permanent resident after Aug.31,1994,
Tahwinder Singh entered United States through Canada border on Oct.19,1992 and told the asylum Officer of his account of persecution on account of political opinion several times between 1988 1992, He was granted asylum on Sept.2.93, based upon his well-founded fear of persecution upon return to his home country. He will be eligible for permanent resident status after Sep.2,1994.
Harjit Singh, was granted asylum on Sept.9,1993 by the Asylum officer who determined (hat Harjit Singh has established a well-founded fear of persecution upon return to India.
All the above cases were represented by attorney Mohinder Singh (5107439622), who brings a total of 51 political asylum cases tried and won at San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles, in favor of AISSF claimants, including the very first reported asylum to a Sikh in the United States of America in July 1987.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 29, 1993