Jairo Jonathan Elias Zacarias v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

FLETCHER, Circuit Judge:

Elias Zacarías petitions for review of the denial of his application for political asylum and withholding of deportation. We grant his petition for review in respect to his claim to eligibility for asylum.

PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

Elias fled Guatemala in March of 1987. When he entered the United States in July of 1987, the respondent Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS” or “Service”) apprehended him. He conceded deportability and applied for asylum and withholding of deportation. After a hearing on December 14, 1987 (the “December hearing”) before an Immigration Judge…