Opinion ID: 2998534
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Humanitarian Relief

Text: Even if the government rebuts a presumption of Kllokoqi’s future persecution or if Kllokoqi fails to affirmatively show a well-founded fear of future persecution, the Attorney General can still grant Kllokoqi asylum “as a matter of discretion for humanitarian reasons if the alien has suffered . . . ‘atrocious forms of persecution.’ ” Asani, 154 F.3d at 722 (quoting Matter of Chen, 20 I. & N. Dec. 16, 19 (BIA 1989)). As the BIA acknowledged in Chen, “there may be cases where the favorable exercise of discretion is warranted . . . even if there is little likelihood of future persecution.” Chen, 20 I. & N. Dec. at 19; see also Brucaj v. Ashcroft, 381 F.3d 602, 608 (7th Cir. 2004). The applicant has the burden to “demonstrate[ ] compelling reasons for being unwilling or unable to return . . . arising out of the severity of past persecution.” 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b)(1)(iii)(A). Kllokoqi carries a heavier burden in attempting to establish persecution under this method than he would if he could establish a well-founded fear of persecution. See Bereza, 115 F.3d 468, 476 (7th Cir. 1997). To qualify for a humanitarian grant of asylum, Kllokoqi must show such severe past persecution that “repatriation would be inhumane.” Id. at 724. This is a difficult burden indeed, but the IJ should consider this form of relief in light of Kllokoqi’s claims of extreme violence while in Kosovo. No. 03-3508 15