Fisher v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Petitioner, an Iranian citizen, was admitted as the fiancee of a United States citizen. Although she did not marry this man, she married another United States citizen and was later divorced. Her husband withdrew his petition in support of petitioner's application for permanent resident status, claiming that he was paid to marry her. Immigration and Naturalization Service denied the application and began deportation proceedings. Petitioner conceded her deportability and filed for asylum and for a withholding of deportation, seeking a voluntary departure instead. The Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed the immigration judge's denial of her request for asylum and the withholding of deportation, because she did not have a well-founded fear of persecution and did not face clear probability of persecution. The denial of her request for voluntary departure was affirmed on a finding that she married for immigration purposes.