The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed with the IJ and affirmed. The IJ also held that even if such a group existed, the man failed to establish that he was persecuted because of his membership in this group. The immigration judge denied the claim, finding that the proposed group lacked the elements of immutability, particularity and social visibility necessary to constitute a particular social group. He argued that he faced severe persecution because of his membership in the social group of "individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit erratic behavior."
Upon entering the U.S., the man sought immigration relief in the forms of asylum, withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture ("CAT"). He was beaten with leather straps and fists. The man's hands and feet were bound 5 to 7 hours per day, 4 days per week. According to the expert, laymen and doctors alike believe that demonic possession is contagious.Īs such, treatment is almost non-existent. An expert testified below that in Tanzania, bipolar disorder is treated as "shameful." Sufferers are referred to as "mwenda wzimu" which means demon-possessed. He spent years in asylums and prisons where he suffered violent physical abuse. He acts erratically and walks into traffic. During his manic episodes, the man believes he has super powers.
During the man's final year at university, his mother passed away, spurring a mental breakdown that forced him to leave school.
0 kommentar(er)
