Opinion ID: 689175
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: redesignation

Text: 12 While we affirm the Board's decision to deport, we are concerned with the lack of clarity regarding the place of deportation. The Board examined the merits of Bevc's case for return both to Serbia and Macedonia, implying that Bevc was free to return to either country. The Board recognized that Macedonia is a safer alternative for Bevc, and with this we agree. However, the Board affirmed the Immigration Judge's decision without explicitly changing the designation of Yugoslavia as the place of deportation. Thus, the Board's decision is internally inconsistent. 13 We are limited in our ability to clarify the designated country of deportation. Only the Attorney General has the authority to designate the country to which an alien will be deported. 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1254A(b)(5); Osmani v. INS, 14 F.3d 13, 15 (7th Cir.1994). The authority to redesignate has also been delegated to the Board when the exercise of discretionary authority is appropriate for the disposition of a case. 8 C.F.R. Sec. 3.1(d) (1993); Ademi v. INS, 31 F.3d 517, 521 (7th Cir.1994). Ordinarily, when an alien believes that the designated country of deportation is inappropriate, the proper course of action for the petitioner is to file a motion to reopen her case with the board. 8 C.F.R. Sec. 3.2; Demirovski v. INS, 39 F.3d 177 (7th Cir.1994). However, in this instance, the designation itself is not being challenged but clarification is being sought. It is unclear to us whether the Board was exercising its power to redesignate or merely reflecting its perception of the Immigration Judge's designation. We do not question the prudence of the Board's decision, but we are unsure precisely what that decision was. 14 Certainly, the determination where to deport an alien is not one that is casually made without regard for the alien's safety. While we believe that the Board's remarks are indicative of a thoughtful decision to redesignate Macedonia as the country of deportation, to assume this after the Board's explicit affirmation of the Immigration Judge's designation of Yugoslavia would be presumptuous. Consequently, we remand to the Board for clarification of the designated country of deportation. 15 For the reasons stated above, the Board's order denying asylum and withholding of deportation is affirmed, but we remand to the Board for clarification of the designated country of deportation.