In the Mogharrabi test, what is one of the four prongs that an applicant must prove?

The correct understanding of the Mogharrabi test highlights the importance of establishing a link between the applicant and a protected characteristic under asylum law. One of the four prongs that an applicant must prove is that they possess or are believed to possess a protected characteristic, such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

The basis for this prong lies in the definition of persecution, which must be motivated by these protected characteristics. This requirement ensures that the claims made by the applicants are grounded in a recognized form of identity that serves as the basis for potential harm or persecution. By linking the individual's experiences and fears of persecution to a specific characteristic, the asylum application becomes relevant under United States law as it addresses the patterns of harm directed at certain groups.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of the asylum process but do not align with the Mogharrabi test's focus on a protected characteristic. While demonstrating past persecution or fear of future persecution is important in the broader context of asylum eligibility, the requirement to show a protected characteristic is foundational to the claims made under international and domestic refugee frameworks. Economic needs, while they may play a role in an individual's overall situation, do not constitute a basis for asylum under