What is relief under the Convention against Torture Treaty?
Foreign nationals who fear that they would be tortured either directly by their government or with the acquiescence of their government if returned to their country of origin may qualify for relief under the Convention against Torture (CAT) treaty permitting them to remain in the United States. Unlike asylum and withholding, to qualify under CAT, you do not have to show that the abuse you will suffer is “on account of” one of the five protected characteristics (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.) The standard for CAT, however, that it is more likely than not that the applicant would face torture, is a very high one and CAT cases are not often granted. The primary reason that an individual might seek CAT is that if an applicant meets the high standard for relief, she or he must be granted relief, even if she or he has been convicted of very serious crimes (including aggravated felonies) in the United States. If, however, the U.S.
