Can immigration officer on interview for political asylum ask why we don't go to live to my husband's country?

[ern]

I will have an interview for i-589, political refugee asylum. My husband is from one of Europe union country, and he is my dependent.
Can immigration officer ask me, or my husband why we don't go to live to his country ?
If yes, what should I or my husband answer ?
For me it is clear, after all the struggles I been through, and I came to usa, I decided to ask for political asylum here. Country of my husband is one of the post communist, so the democracy and law is still from far away comparable with usa system.
But I'm not sure if I should rather ask a lawyer for help.
Thank you.

[montrel68]

Of course, if you're asking for asylum - you'd certainly have to say why. Otherwise, every person wanting to emigrate would just ask for asylum.
It is not easily granted. Here are 2 sites:

http://www.rapidimmigration.com/1_eng_kit_asylum.html
http://www.visaus.com/asylum.html

[alburt]

The UN Hague Convention on Refugees requires asylum seekers to apply on the first safe country he or she reaches. However, many asylum seekers like you prefer to live in Western countries with a high standard of living. In fact, many asylum seekers are really economic migrants, not victims of persecution. You have a right to apply in the US or any other country, but approval is not automatic. It is evident from what you have written that the primary reason for choosing the US instead of immigrating to your husband's country is the difference in standard of living. Don't be disappointed if your application is denied.

[slaine]

You need an immigration attorney, badly. I'd be shocked if your case is granted.

[hyun-su]

You need an immigration attorney, badly. I'd be shocked if your case is granted.

What you're doing is called forum shopping.

Refugees aren't allowed to forum shop.

And as an asylum seeker, you are seeking refugee.

Your husband is firmly settled. he can not claim asylum in the US from a former Soviet Block country.

Yes they will ask you about it.

And you likely will not get approved.

No attorney will be able to help you very much either because it's all discretionary.

[chansomps]

They can ask anything they want, they have to know everything to determine are you eligible or not for asylum. You know how much granted asylum status gives benefits? Many, government becomes your guardian and they pay for everything for you, a lot of things will be covered. So do not expect asylum so easy to get. Anyway asylum is granted if you will convince an officer that you have well established fear and you will be killed upon your return to your home country.