Liane Rowena Estrella Reyes v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

This is an appeal by petitioner, 22-year-old Liane Reyes, of a denial of her petition for asylum or the withholding of deportation under § 243(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1253(h). Reyes is a native and citizen of the Philippines. The Immigration Appeals Board affirmed the decision of the Immigration Judge, dismissed the appeal, and ordered the petitioner to depart the United States within thirty days of its decision. This appeal followed. We reverse.

Petitioner entered the United States on August 15, 1975 as a nonimmigrant exchange visitor under the Youth for…