M-E-V-G

Citations

• 26 I. & N. Dec. 227

Syllabus

M-E-V-G-, 26 I&N Dec. 227 (BIA 2014) ID 3795 (PDF) (1) In order to clarify that the \social visibility\ element required to establish a cognizable \particular social group\ does not mean literal or \ocular\ visibility, that element is renamed as \social distinction.\ Matter of E-A-G-, 24 I&N Dec. 591 (BIA 2008) Matter of S-E-G-, 24 I&N Dec. 579 (BIA 2008) Matter of A-M-E- & J-G-U-, 24 I&N Dec. 69 (BIA 2007) and Matter of C-A-, 23 I&N Dec. 951 (BIA 2006), clarified. (2) An applicant for asylum or withholding of removal seeking relief based on \membership in a particular social group\ must establish that the group is (1) composed of members who share a common immutable characteristic, (2) defined with particularity, and (3) socially distinct within the society in question. (3) Whether a social group is recognized for asylum purposes is determined by the perception of the society in question, rather than by the perception of the persecutor.