Case ID: f-appx_687/html/0096-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Shah JAHAN, Petitioner, v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS III, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    15-4078
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    April 19, 2017
    FOR PETITIONER: Amy Nussbaum Gell, Gell & Gell, New York, N.Y.
    FOR RESPONDENT: Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Paul Fiorino, Senior Litigation Counsel; Judith R. O’Sullivan, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
    PRESENT: JOHN M. WALKER, JR., PETER W. HALL, DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Shah Jahan, a native and citizen of Bangladesh, seeks review of a November 18, 2015, decision of the BIA, affirming a June 10,' 2014, decision of an Immigration Judge (“U”) denying asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Shah Jahan, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. Nov. 18, 2015), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City June 10, 2014). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed both the IJ’s and the BIA’s opinions “for the sake of completeness.” Wangchuck v. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 448 F.3d 524, 528 (2d Cir. 2006). The applicable standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 165-66 (2d Cir. 2008). “Considering the totality of the circumstances, and all relevant factors, a trier of fact may base a credibility determination on ... the consistency between the applicant’s or witness’s written and oral statements (whenever made and whether or not under oath, and considering the circumstances under which the statements were made).... ” 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); see also Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 163-64. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Jahan was not credible as to his claim that Awami League members beat him on account of his membership in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and that he feared detention and persecution based on false charges filed against him in Bangladesh.

The agency reasonably relied on inconsistencies between Jahan’s testimony and his earlier sworn statements during a credible fear interview. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii). As an initial matter, the agency did not err in finding reliable the record of Jahan’s interview. He did not raise any objection to its contents. And the intérview was conducted with an interpreter, the questions posed were designed to elicit details of Jahan’s asylum claim, and the responses Jahan provided did not indicate that he was reluctant to answer questions. See Zhang v. Holder, 585 F.3d 715, 725 (2d Cir. 2009).

At his credible fear interview, Jahan testified that Awami League members beat him on eight occasions. However, at his hearing, he testified inconsistently that he was beaten on only four occasions. When given an opportunity to explain his interview statement that he had been beaten eight times, Jahan claimed that he had been discussing incidents during which he was threatened but not beaten, as well as the four times he was beaten. The IJ was not compelled to credit that explanation because, for example, Jahan had an opportunity to clarify that he had been beaten only four times later in his interview, but he did not do so. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80 (2d Cir. 2005).

In addition, Jahan testified that he fears returning to Bangladesh because unidentified individuals lodged a false criminal complaint against him, Jahan’s omission of this claim from his written statement further undermined his credibility. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 166 n.3 (“An inconsistency and an omission are ... functionally equivalent.”). He did not provide a compelling explanation for this omission. See Ma jidi, 430 F.3d at 80. Nor could lie explain why his father sent certain evidence from Bangladesh, but failed to send evidence he purportedly possessed regarding the false charges. See id.

Given these inconsistencies that relate directly to the bases of both Jahan’s claim of past ham and his fear of future harm, the totality of the circumstances supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii). That determination is dispositive of asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief because all three claims are based on the same factual predicate. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156-57 (2d Cir. 2006).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and any pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot. Any pending request for oral argument in this petition is DENIED in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34(a)(2), and Second Circuit Local Rule 34.1(b). 
      
       The Government incorrectly argues that Jahan waived his withholding of removal and CAT claims. The adverse credibility determination, which Jahan challenges, served as the agency’s only basis for denying those forms of relief.