When evaluating discretion to grant asylum based on past persecution, which factor is NOT considered?

The factor that is not considered when evaluating discretion to grant asylum based on past persecution is whether the applicant has family in the U.S. The focus in this context is primarily on the experiences and circumstances related to the persecution itself, which includes how severe the persecution was, how long it lasted, and the conditions under which it occurred.

The presence of family in the U.S. does not directly relate to the assessment of past persecution or the applicant's fear of future persecution, which is the crux of asylum evaluations. While family ties may play a role in other aspects of immigration applications—such as establishing ties to the community or potential support systems—they do not influence the determination of whether the applicant has suffered past persecution or the intensity and duration of that experience.

On the other hand, factors like the conditions under which persecution occurred, the intensity, and the duration are directly relevant to understanding the severity of the persecution faced by the applicant. They provide crucial context for the asylum officer to assess the credibility and seriousness of the applicant’s claims and the overall circumstances that may affect their eligibility for asylum. Therefore, focusing solely on the nature of the persecution itself is essential in these evaluations, making the presence of family ties irrelevant in this particular consideration.