Islamic Information Center - Shia Muslims Have New Basis for Applying for Asylum In US

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Shia Muslims Have New Basis for Applying for Asylum In US

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(WASHINGTON DC - January 13, 2010) In response to the mounting attacks from militant and Taliban groups in Pakistan, the United States Board of Immigration Appeals, which is a type of Court, has ruled that it is willing to consider persecution in Pakistan as a basis for Asylum. As Shia Muslims are the main targets of the attacks, this presents a chance for them to escape violence and secure a new life in the United States. This breakthrough in the courts was performed by the law firm of Coane and Associates, who released the following press release:

The Taliban has recently increased its attacks against Shia Muslims in Pakistan. The Taliban's increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan is a new basis for Shia Muslims from Pakistan to apply for asylum in the United States.

The law firm of Coane and Associates recently represented Shia Muslims from Pakistan who had been ordered deported in 2006. In 2009, Coane and Associates filed a motion asking the Board of Immigration Appeals to reopen the case based on the Taliban's increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan. Normally, the deadline to file a motion to reopen is ninety days after a person's final order of deportation. However, a motion to reopen that seeks to apply for asylum can be filed at any time if the motion is based on changed country conditions.

The Board of Immigration Appeals granted the motion to reopen filed by Coane and Associates. In granting the motion to reopen, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that the Taliban's increased persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan is a changed condition that warrants reopening of the case.

The decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals can be used to help other Shia Muslims from Pakistan apply for asylum, even if they were ordered deported many years ago.

Ajay Choudhary is an attorney at Coane and Associates, 1900 West Loop South, Suite 820, Houston, Texas 77027.

His e-mail address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and his phone number is (713) 850-0066. With offices in Houston and Miami Beach, Coane & Associates provides legal expertise in a wide range of business and personal matters.
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ajay Choudhary, please contact us.

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