Bench-Pressed: A Judge Recounts the Many Blessings and Heavy Lessons of Hearing Immigration Asylum Cases

by Susan L. Yarbrough

Every year, thousands of people seek asylum in the United States because they have been persecuted in other countries due to their race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion. In seeking refuge and protection, these immigrants must rel

152 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2013

Reviews

[Scott Butki · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great, informative, engaging book by a new friend i've made at church this year


Very excited to be reading this book as I know, like, respect and work with Susan at my church and I know this will be a fascinating and thoughtful work.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bench-Pressed. Susan Yarbrough's judicial memoir packs quite a punch in only 110 pages. Now retired, Yarbrough recounts five asylum cases that she heard and decided during her 18+ years on the bench in immigration court in Texas.

The individuals highlighted in this book come from war torn countries (Cuba, El Salvador, Palestine, Nicaragua, and Guatemala). Each chapter begins with a brief historical backdrop of the country of origin, followed by the respondent's testimony, ruling, and lastly the judge's personal reflections.

While it is entirely possible the accounts portrayed in this book are some of the more extreme examples they are reason enough to understand why individuals are willing to literally walk away from everything they know (home, family, country, language) for the hope of a safer life in a new country.

Yarbrough retired in 2005, long before many of us were inundated with daily news reports of asylum seekers, border patrol agents, and detention center conditions. Yarbrough sums it up best, "It is strange and bittersweet to work at the center of a system heavily weighed against someone without an attorney or even the statutory right to one but to realize that this (American) system is somehow less oppressive than many."

Two recurring thoughts came to mind as I read each of these individual accounts...Justice and Mercy...Remember and Tell. We must do more than view a 20 second video clip before opining or passing judgment about individuals seeking more...more security, more humanity, more compassion.

Many thanks to Judge Yarbrough for sharing these accounts so we can learn from them.

[Sarah Goodner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely do we get a peek "behind the curtain" of authority. Susan Yarbrough strips off her judge's robes and lets us see her heart. She tells the story of 5 cases she ruled over while in the immigration courts of Houston and how they effected her. A wonderful lesson of how good we have it, even when we have it bad, in America and what true resilience looks like.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful lessons from a career immigration law judge. Touching stories about 5 immigrants who sought asylum within the United States. Worth consideration in today's politically-charged immigration environment. Makes you want to be friends with the author:)

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting autobiography by an immigration judge recounting 5 cases which made an impact on her. She gives background information on the situation in the immigrant’s country, the immigrants story and the how and why of their impact on her life. It was a short easily read novel.

[(Lonestarlibrarian) Keddy Ann Outlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being an Immigration Court judge, having to decide who stays and who must leave our American democracy. Meet Susan L. Yarbrough who devoted almost 18 years of her life to that task. Behind the closed door of her judge's chambers, at times she had to cry. Of course she did. We are all exposed to stories of torture, racism, prejudice and hatred through the mass media, but reading about the five asylum cases Judge Yarbrough presents in Bench-Pressed deeply personalized such horrors. I much admire the respectful, caring way she has of approaching moral dilemmas.

Ms. Yarbrough spoke at my church here in Houston, but I was not able to attend. Everyone said she was great. Then a friend praised her book and I asked to borrow a copy. My curiosity was stirred, even though I am not usually that interested in legal matters. Indeed, the book raised my consciousness about immigration matters and the state of the world. Also a memoir of retirement, therapy and graceful aging, Bench-Pressed is no way a dry legal treatise. When I saw the author's photo on the back of the book, she looked familiar; come to find out she and I attended the same lecture series at the Jung Center. This honest, inspiring and compassionate book is her fine legacy.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this interesting, very human account of very human circumstances. A fascinating individual and philosophical view by Judge Susan Yarbrough of some asylum cases that came through her court.

[Sue Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories on asylum immigration cases