Case ID: f-appx_699/html/0697-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Walid MAJDUB, Petitioner, v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS III, Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 15-71437
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted October 16, 2017  San Francisco, California
    Filed October 25, 2017
    
      Saad Ahmad, Attorney, Fremont, CA, Elias Z. Shamieh, Attorney, Law Offices of Shamieh and Ternieden, San Francisco, CA, for Petitioner
    Elizabeth K Fitzgerald-Sambou, Trial Attorney, OIL, DOJ—U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division/Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, Chief Counsel ICE, Office of the Chief Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, for Respondent
    Before: HAWKINS and W. FLETCHER, Circuit Judges, and KRONSTADT, District Judge.
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. 
        See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
    
      
       The Honorable John A, Kronstadt, United States District Judge for the Central District of California, sitting by designation.
    
   MEMORANDUM

Walid Majdub, a citizen of Israel, petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming the Immigration Judge’s denial of his application for asylum and withholding of removal, We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 and we deny the petition.

The BIA found that Majdub’s asylum claim was untimely. Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s conclusion. Majdub arrived in the United States in, September 1993, but did not file his asylum application until May 2002. While the one-year filing deadline may be excused if the applicant files within a reasonable period after changed circumstances materially affect his eligibility for asylum, the record supports the BIA’s finding that this exception does not apply. 8 U.S.C § 1158(a)(2)(B), (D); 8 C.F.R. § 208.4(a)(4)(i)-(ii).

Substantial evidence also supports the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. The I j established a legitimate, articulable basis to question Majdub’s credibility and offered specific, cogent reasons for her disbelief. Shah v. INS, 220 F.3d 1062, 1067 (9th Cir. 2000). Majdub gave inconsistent testimony regarding the date of the first Intifada, his affiliations with political organizations, and the extent of his participation in political activities in both Israel and in the United States. Because Maj-dub’s withholding application is premised on his claim to fear political persecution if he is returned to Israel, these inconsistencies are not minor but “go to the heart” of his application. Li v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 959, 964 (9th Cir. 2004). Majdub argues that any discrepancies are the result of incorrect translations, but this explanation is implausible given the breadth of the conflicting testimony identified by the IJ. In the absence of credible testimony, Maj-dub failed to demonstrate eligibility for withholding of removal.

Moreover, substantial evidence supports the BIA’s alternative conclusion that Maj-dub’s testimony, even if credited, would not establish eligibility for withholding. Majdub testified to prejudicial treatment and harassment, but the conduct he describes does not rise to the level of persecution. Prasad v. INS, 47 F.3d 336; 339-40 (9th Cir. 1995)

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.