Short answer: Group country-condition material by the factual issue it addresses, keep complete source information, and avoid collecting repetitive reports simply because they mention the same country.
This page provides general information and organization guidance only. It does not decide whether evidence is legally sufficient, tell you what to file, or replace advice from a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
Use topic folders instead of one giant country folder
Possible topics might include treatment of a religious group, political activity, police conduct, gender-based violence, treatment of LGBTQ people, regional conflict, freedom of expression, or access to government protection. The useful categories depend on the facts being researched; this site does not decide which legal theory applies to a case.
Within each topic, sort sources by date and keep the newest reliable material easy to find.
Record source information precisely
For each report or article, keep the title, publisher, publication date, direct URL, date accessed, and the page or section that contains the relevant material. EOIR specifically instructs parties submitting published material to identify the title, date, and page numbers, and to identify the year of State Department country reports.
Do not save only a quotation without the surrounding source. Keep enough of the publication to show what the quote came from.
Prefer quality and relevance over volume
EOIR's country-research resources and Department of State reports are useful starting points. Reputable international organizations, human-rights organizations, academic sources, and established news organizations may also contain useful factual material.
A large packet of repetitive material can be harder to review than a smaller set of well-labeled sources. A qualified representative can decide what belongs in a particular filing.
A practical way to organize this
Use a simple evidence index with columns for date, source, file name, short description, language/translation status, and where the original is stored. Keep uncertain information marked as uncertain. Do not change an original document to make it fit a timeline or another record.
If you are preparing for an attorney meeting, bring the index and the records you already have. You can also use the free Evidence Toolkit to organize a timeline, evidence inventory, missing-evidence list, witness list, and attorney questions.
Check current sources before filing
Agency rules can change, and the rules for USCIS, Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals are not identical. Verify the current source that applies to the forum handling the case.
- EOIR: Country Conditions Research
- EOIR Policy Manual: Documents and source materials
- Immigration Justice Campaign: Country Conditions Research
For case-specific questions about relevance, disclosure, authentication, safety, deadlines, or how a document should be presented, use the Legal Help Center or speak with a qualified immigration representative.