Opinion ID: 1237154
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Second Hearing and Appeal

Text: On remand, the IJ once again found Brezilien credible and examined his testimony in light of changed country conditions in Haiti. The IJ concluded that Brezilien had established a well-founded fear of persecution on account of his political opinion or imputed political opinion. In so ruling, the IJ did not specifically consider whether it would be reasonable for Brezilien to relocate within Haiti. On December 16, 2004, the IJ again granted asylum and withholding of removal, and again declined to rule on the application for CAT relief. The government appealed, and on November 21, 2005, the BIA again reversed. The BIA noted that the IJ provided no analysis as to whether Brezilien would be identified as a Lavalas supporter and concluded that Brezilien had failed to demonstrate that he would be recognized as such. Relying on its determinations that Brezilien (1) had failed sufficiently to explain how anyone would recognize him after approximately 12 years outside of Haiti, (2) had not shown that the deaths of his brothers and aunt were tied to their political involvement with the Lavalas party, and (3) did not claim that his mother or brother had been harmed on account of their involvement with the Lavalas party, or that Brezilien had been threatened or harmed during his trips to Haiti since his original grant of asylum, the BIA found that Brezilien had failed to demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in Haiti. The BIA further found that Brezilien could avoid identification as a Lavalas supporter by living outside of Port-au-Prince. The BIA reversed the grant of asylum and withholding of removal and remanded to the IJ for consideration of other forms of relief.