Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Cardoza-Fonesca

Alien appealed decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals, arguing that she was eligible for consideration for asylum. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 767 F.2d 1448, reversed and remanded, and certiorari was granted. The Supreme Court, Justice Stevens, held that, to show "well-founded fear of persecution," alien seeking asylum need not prove that it is "more likely than not" that he or she will be persecuted in his or her own country.
480 U.S. 421 (1987)