Convention Against Torture (CAT) Claims

Protection under the Convention Against Torture is available to individuals who can demonstrate that they would more likely than not be tortured if returned to their home country, regardless of the reason for the potential torture.

Key Features:

• No protected ground requirement (unlike asylum)
• Government acquiescence or inability to prevent torture must be shown
• Torture must be by or with consent of public official
• No time limits for filing
• Available even if other forms of relief are barred

Types of CAT Protection:

• Withholding under CAT: Prevents removal to country of torture
• Deferral of removal: Temporary protection that can be terminated

CAT protection does not provide a path to permanent residence but offers crucial protection from torture.