Case ID: f-appx_391/html/0656-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Marcel OUEDRAOGO, aka Ken Marcus, aka Arthur Ouedera, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 08-75034.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted Aug. 3, 2010.
    
    Filed Aug. 6, 2010.
    Bakary Fansu Conteh, Esquire, Law Office of Bakary Fansu Conteh, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.
    Marion Guyton, Esquire, Trial, DOJ— U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, Chief Counsel Ice, Office of the Chief Counsel Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, for Respondent.
    Before: CANBY, THOMPSON and BERZON, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
   MEMORANDUM

Marcel Ouedraogo (“Ouedraogo”), a native and citizen of Burkina Faso, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“U”) order denying asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252, and we deny the petition.

Where, as here, the BIA expressly adopted the IJ’s decision, citing Matter of Burbano, 20 I. & N. Dec. 872 (BIA 1994), but also provided its own review of the evidence and the law, we review both the IJ and the BIA’s decision. Hosseini v. Gonzales, 471 F.3d 953, 957 (9th Cir.2006). We review findings of fact and credibility determinations for substantial evidence. Abebe v. Gonzales, 432 F.3d 1037, 1039-40 (9th Cir.2005) (en banc).

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination based on the numerous inconsistencies regarding the timing, circumstances and details of Ouedraogo’s alleged arrests, persecution, and anti-government activities. Goel v. Gonzales, 490 F.3d 735, 739 (9th Cir.2007). These inconsistencies go to the heart of his claim. Li v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 959, 962 (9th Cir.2004).

Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination based on Ouedraogo’s omissions, and inconsistent testimony, regarding the alleged custodial abuse and rape he suffered while arrested. Kin v. Holder, 595 F.3d 1050, 1056-57 (9th Cir.2010). In addition, Oue-draogo’s failure to provide evidence corroborating his claim supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination. Sidhu v. INS, 220 F.3d 1085, 1090-91 (9th Cir.2000). His international travels followed by voluntary returns to Burkina Faso also cast doubt on the credibility of his claims of fear of persecution. In the absence of credible testimony, Ouedraogo’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir.2003).

We need not reach Ouedraogo’s contention that he is eligible for relief under the CAT because he failed to exhaust that claim before the BIA. Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 678 (9th Cir.2004). In any event, Ouedraogo’s CAT claim fails because it is based on the same testimony the agency found not credible, and Oue-draogo points to no other evidence that shows it is more likely than not he "will be tortured if he returns to Burkina Faso. Farah, 348 F.3d at 1156-57.

PETITION DENIED. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.