I (25) Was Forced To Lie Under Oath By My Abusive Now Ex-boyfriend (28) During My Testimony For His Immigration Asylum Hearing.

The title says it all. At the time we were still in a relationship, and they asked me to come in and testify because his background check showed that he went to jail the year prior for domestic battery. He basically shoved my head into his dashboard and broke my phone, and I called the police, got a temporary restraining order, but dropped charges and canceled them after. However, the abuse did not stop and for the past year this man has choked me, slapped me, punched me, forced me to give him money, degraded me, threatened to kill me and my family etc… but like other abuse victims, I stayed and of course protected and defended him instead of leaving and protecting myself. At his asylum hearing, I was asked if he ever abused me and lied out of fear for my life because he told me if “you fuck up my hearing, i will fucking destroy your life.” So when they asked me if he ever hit me I denied it, when they asked if he ever punched me I denied it, if he ever forced me to give money I denied, if he’s ever raped me I denied, and everything else I denied. However, the judge and prosecution noticed my behavior saying I looked afraid like a little child because to be honest I was afraid and they said that it looked like I was lying. When the judges decision came a month later, he was granted withholding of removal but denied asylum because they believed I was being abused. And if you ask… yes, I was choked for this. He basically said it was my fault and called me a f*ing b and told me he didn’t need me anymore and to get the f out of his life. Everyone says I should report him and get another restraining order and to contact the court and tell them that he forced me to lie. They say he’s a monster and does not deserve a chance like others to stay in the United States. But when I told him this he said I can’t do anything because if I tell I will get in trouble myself for lying. He said if I report him for abuse he will tell the police that I lied in court and I would go to prison for perjury. Is what he says true? Is there nothing I can do? I feel so powerless.

Location: California