In re S-M-J-

21 I. & N. Dec. 722 (1997)

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In re S-M-J-

Board of Immigration Appeals
21 I. & N. Dec. 722 (1997)

Facts

S-M-J- (plaintiff) was a citizen of Liberia who moved to Zaire in 1987 to live with her uncle, the Liberian ambassador to Zaire. In 1991, S-M-J- was evacuated to the United States through the American Embassy in Zaire. S-M-J- applied for asylum in the United States. S-M-J- provided testimony that while she was living in Zaire, she saw a news report that her father’s home in Liberia had been burned down. S-M-J- further testified that her father was targeted and that he was the governor of the Vai tribe. S-M-J- did not explain in her testimony her experience as a Vai tribe member, or how her alleged persecutor would know of her affiliation with the Via tribe. S-M-J- also testified that Prince Anderson was her brother-in-law and that she feared repercussions as a result of her relationship with him, although she did not explain why. S-M-J- failed to provide any background information regarding the Vai tribe or Prince Anderson. On June 7, 1995, S-M-J-’s asylum application was denied. S-M-J- appealed the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Heilman, J.)

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