Shia Muslims Have New Basis for Applying for Asylum

Ajay Choudhary writes: "The Taliban has recently increased its attacks against Shia Muslims in Pakistan. The Taliban?s increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan is a new basis for Shia Muslims from Pakistan to apply for asylum in the United States. The law firm of Coane and Associates recently represented Shia Muslims from Pakistan who had been ordered deported in 2006. In 2009, Coane and Associates filed a motion asking the Board of Immigration Appeals to reopen the case based on the Taliban?s increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Normally, the deadline to file a motion to reopen is ninety days after a person?s final order of deportation. However, a motion to reopen that seeks to apply for asylum can be filed at any time if the motion is based on changed country conditions. The Board of Immigration Appeals granted the motion to reopen filed by Coane and Associates. In granting the motion to reopen, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that the Taliban?s increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan is a changed condition that warrants reopening of the case. The decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals can be used to help other Shia Muslims from Pakistan apply for asylum, even if they were ordered deported many years ago."