Asylum Officer Removed from Interview

Matthew Kolken had an asylum officer removed from adjudicating his client's application after she prohibited him from asking clarifying questions in violation of the regulations that specifically provide for attorney participation. A demand was made to speak to a supervisor, who corrected the asylum officer, and the officer was removed from presiding over the interview.  A new hearing will be scheduled.

Practice pointer: do not allow adjudicating officers to dictate your level of participation in proceedings.  You aren't there to act as a stenographer.