8 CFR § 208.12 - Reliance on information compiled by other sources.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t8/s208.12"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "8 CFR § 208.12 - Reliance on information compiled by other sources."
title_number: 8
title_name: "Aliens and Nationality"
section_number: "208.12"
section_name: "Reliance on information compiled by other sources."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS"
part_number: "208"
part_name: "PROCEDURES FOR ASYLUM AND WITHHOLDING OF REMOVAL"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1158, 1226, 1252, 1282; Title VII of Pub. L. 110-229; 8 CFR part 2; Pub. L. 115-218."
regulatory_source: "62 FR 10337, Mar. 6, 1997, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "208"
---


# 208.12 Reliance on information compiled by other sources.

(a) In deciding an asylum application, or in deciding whether the alien has a credible fear of persecution or torture pursuant to § 208.30 of this part, or a reasonable fear of persecution or torture pursuant to § 208.31, the asylum officer may rely on material provided by the Department of State, other USCIS offices, or other credible sources, such as international organizations, private voluntary agencies, news organizations, or academic institutions.

(b) Nothing in this part shall be construed to entitle the applicant to conduct discovery directed toward the records, officers, agents, or employees of the Service, the Department of Justice, or the Department of State. Persons may continue to seek documents available through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request pursuant to 8 CFR part 103.

[62 FR 10337, Mar. 6, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 8488, Feb. 19, 1999; 65 FR 76133, Dec. 6, 2000; 76 FR 53784, Aug. 29, 2011]