Opinion ID: 4572660
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: BIA Decision on Reconsideration

Text: The BIA granted Zhakira's motion to reconsider and corrected its obvious error in referencing Kenyan women. In all other respects, however, it reaffirmed its earlier decision, noting in a footnote that it declined to reconsider most of Zhakira's arguments. However, the BIA readdressed the claim of a particularized social group. It noted that Zhakira had complained that the BIA's previous decision failed to consider a social group that reflected his religion and opposition to Al-Shabaab as well as his status as a westernized male. In response, the BIA first observed that Zhakira had not specified any social group before - 9 - the IJ or on appeal. It then explained that neither his religion nor his political opposition to Al-Shabaab remedied the lack of particularity or social distinction of his claimed social group. Again referencing Kenya's 82-percent Christian population, the BIA stated that Zhakira's religion does not make his proposed social group sufficiently distinct or particular within Kenya, and his lack of observable political activity there means that he would not be more noticeable than any other Christian Kenyan, either to the group or to the population in general. Accordingly, the BIA dismissed Zhakira's appeal and, pursuant to the IJ's order, granted him voluntary departure.