What constitutes a significant change in circumstances for an asylum seeker?

A significant change in circumstances for an asylum seeker primarily refers to new threats or worsening conditions in the applicant’s home country. This can include a variety of situations such as an escalation of violence, emergence of new forms of persecution, or changes in government policies that could directly affect the applicant's safety and ability to return to their home country. Such changes are critical because they can directly influence the validity of an asylum claim and the level of risk the applicant faces if they were to return.

Changes in personal life, increased income, or a change of residency within the United States, while they may affect the applicant's situation, do not typically qualify as significant changes in the context of asylum claims. The focus for asylum seekers is the conditions in their country of origin, which fundamentally shapes their need for protection. Therefore, option B captures the essence of what constitutes a significant change in circumstances, addressing the external threats that are central to asylum considerations.