Opinion ID: 1217983
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: The resolution of this appeal turns on two related but analytically distinct issues: (1) whether Shardar has presented evidence of changed country conditions sufficient to allow him to file a motion to reopen more than 90 days after the Board rejected his claims; and (2) whether the new evidence Shardar has presented and the prior evidence in the record together show that he has a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on his asylum claim, i.e., whether he has presented a prima facie case for asylum. [4] The first is a threshold question: does the new evidence show a change in country conditions that would allow the motion to reopen to be brought? The second then asks a question about the merits: does the new and the old evidence together make out a prima facie case for asylum? We conclude that the decision of the Board answering no to these two questions is both irrational and arbitrary; thus it abused its discretion. Furthermore, to the extent the Board's decision is grounded in a factual finding that Shardar's situation is not appreciably different from the dangers faced by all his countrymen, that finding is not supported by substantial evidence.