Opinion ID: 78195
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Objective Evidence

Text: Nevertheless, even disregarding his testimony, Mohammed presents compelling evidence that he is entitled to asylum based on the remaining evidence in the record. To be eligible for asylum, Mohammed must establish that he is a refugee within the meaning of the INA. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(A). One way Mohammed can establish refugee status is by demonstrating a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(b)(2); De Santamaria v. U.S. Att'y Gen., 525 F.3d 999, 1006-07 (11th Cir.2008). A well-founded fear of future persecution can be established by (1) past persecution on account of one of the protected grounds, which creates a presumption of a well-founded fear of future persecution; (2) a reasonable possibility of personal persecution that cannot be avoided by relocating within the subject country; or (3) a pattern or practice in the subject country of persecuting members of a statutorily defined group of which the alien is a part. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(b)(1), (2). In order to be well-founded, an applicant's fear of persecution must be subjectively genuine and objectively reasonable. De Santamaria, 525 F.3d at 1007. While courts have not deemed it persecution for a country to require military service of its citizens, several courts have recognized that forced military recruitment may constitute persecution if the petitioner is refusing to join a military whose acts are condemned by the international community as contrary to the basic rules of human conduct. Mekhoukh v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 118, 126 (1st Cir.2004). See also Kibinda v. Att'y Gen., 477 F.3d 113, 121 (3d Cir.2007); Islami v. Gonzales, 412 F.3d 391, 396 (2d Cir.2005); Pelinkovic v. Ashcroft, 366 F.3d 532, 538 (7th Cir.2004); M.A. v. INS, 899 F.2d 304, 312 (4th Cir.1990) (en banc); Matter of A-G-, 19 I. & N. Dec. 502, 506 (BIA 1987). There are two exceptions to the general rule that compulsory military service does not provide asylum seekers with adequate cause to claim persecution. First, an alien may be eligible for asylum if refusal to serve in the military results ... in disproportionately severe punishment and [s]econd, an alien is eligible for asylum if the alien would be associated with a military whose acts are condemned by the international community .... Mekhoukh, 358 F.3d at 126. Mohammed demonstrated the elements of both claims. He presented substantial evidence that there is a reasonable possibility that he would have to serve in a military that commits human rights violations. Moreover, if he does not serve, he presented substantial evidence that he will receive disproportionately severe punishment. This substantial evidence compels a contrary finding to the IJ's. I will discuss each claim in turn.