Week 7: The Art of Asking Questions

This week, I had the opportunity to help prepare and participate in an interview with a client who is currently being held in a detention center while seeking asylum. Preparing for the conversation required me to think carefully about how to frame questions. On one hand, I wanted to create space for the client to tell his story in his own words, without interruption. On the other, I had to ensure that the information we gathered addressed the elements of an asylum claim, details about past persecution, fears of returning, and the systemic issues that make returning unsafe.

It’s a delicate balance. Good questions can open the door for a client to share more fully. But at the same time, questions also shape the story, highlighting details that will later matter in building the case. Being part of this process was both humbling and empowering, and I came away with a deeper respect for the skill it takes to conduct these interviews.

What stood out most, however, was the client himself. Despite all he had endured, both in his home country and on his journey here, he radiated humor and warmth. He laughed, he joked, he carried himself with a spirit that was unexpectedly light. I was reminded of earlier weeks when I met clients at Stewart Detention Center and was struck by the resilience and optimism that can exist even in the hardest of places.

I felt incredibly grateful to be trusted with his story. Bearing witness in that way carries a responsibility, but it also comes with hope, the hope that through this process, his story will find a path toward safety and a better future.