S Ct Grants Cert in Asylum Case

SCOTUSblog reports today that the Supreme “Court said it would decide whether asylum is available to a refugee who was compelled, against his will by threats of death or torture, to assist or take part in persecution of other persons. (Negusie v. Mukasey, 07-499). The case involves Daniel Girmai Negusie, an Eritrean who served as a guard after being conscripted into military service. He was denied asylum status because he had helped keep prisoners in a camp during the long war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.” The unpublished 5th Cir. case is at Download negusie_5_51507.pdf

It looks like the Court might offer some guidance about the contours of the “persecution of others” preclusion ground for asylum.

KJ