IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
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No. 01-60829
Summary Calendar
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NEIK SALEH SHARAF,
Petitioner,
versus
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL,
Respondent.
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Petition for Review of an Order of the
Board of Immigration Appeals
BIA No. A29 809 846
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July 24, 2002
Before BARKSDALE, DeMOSS, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Neik Saleh Sharaf appeals the denial by the Board of
Immigration Appeals (the Board) of his motion to reopen his
deportation proceedings on the basis of changed country
conditions. See 8 C.F.R. § 3.2 (2001). He argues that he will
be persecuted by the Taliban upon his return to Afghanistan due
to his former association with the Jamiat Islami military group.
*
Pursuant to Local Rule 47.5, the court has determined
that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent
except under the limited circumstances set forth in Local Rule
47.5.4.
No. 01-60829
-2-
Sharaf has failed to connect the change in government to his
fear of persecution. He has therefore failed to demonstrate the
requisite fear of persecution on account of race, religion,
nationality, membership in a particular social group, or
political opinion. See Efe v. Ashcroft, F.3d , 2002 WL
1209955, *5 (5th Cir. June 20, 2002). Moreover, the demise of
the Taliban regime subsequent to the Board’s decision destroys
Sharaf’s asylum claim. See United States v. Herrera-Ochoa, 245
F.3d 495, 501 (5th Cir. 2001). The Board did not abuse its
discretion in denying Sharaf’s motion to reopen his deportation
proceedings. INS v. Doherty, 502 U.S. 314, 322 (1992).
AFFIRMED.