Case ID: f-appx_369/html/0258-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

XIN DONG-LIN, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 09-1781-ag.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    March 12, 2010.
    
      Gary J. Yerman, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
    Tony West, Assistant Attorney General; Leslie McKay, Assistant Director; M. Jocelyn Lopez Wright, Senior Litigation Counsel, Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, Chief Judge, JOSEPH M. McLAUGHLIN and GERARD E. LYNCH, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Xin Dong-Lin, a native and citizen of China, seeks review of the April 15, 2009, order of the BIA affirming the February 8, 2008, decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Steven R. Abrams denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Xin Dong-Lin, No. [ A XXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. Apr. 15, 2009), aff'g No. [ A XXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Feb. 8, 2008). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we review both the IJ’s and the BIA’s decisions. See Yan Chen v. Gonzales, 417 F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir.2005). The applicable standards of review are well-established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Yanqin Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009).

Dong-Lin does not challenge the IJ’s finding that, although he alleged that a photograph of him practicing Falun Gong was taken at a rally in Flushing, N.Y. on June 11, 2007, he submitted the photograph at a hearing one week earlier, on June 5, 2007. Therefore, that finding stands as a valid basis for the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. See Shunfu Li v. Mukasey, 529 F.3d 141, 146 (2d Cir.2008).

Furthermore, in his brief to the BIA, Dong-Lin did not challenge: (1) the IJ’s reliance on the record of his credible fear interview, the frequency of his Falun Gong practice, and his proficiency in Falun Gong in assessing his credibility; (2) the IJ’s findings regarding his motivation for practicing Falun Gong in the United States; and (3) the IJ’s finding that he failed to sufficiently corroborate his claim. Because the agency never had the opportunity to consider these specific arguments, we will not do so in the first instance. See Theodoropoulos v. I.N.S., 358 F.3d 162, 171 (2d Cir.2004); Lin Zhong v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 480 F.3d 104, 123, 124 n. 24 (2d Cir.2007).

Dong-Lin argues that the IJ erred in finding that his testimony conflicted with that of his uncle regarding his Falun Gong practice in the United States. To the extent Dong-Lin argues that the inconsistencies “relate to very minor details,” under the REAL ID Act, “an IJ may rely on any inconsistency or omission in making an adverse credibility determination as long as the ‘totality of the circumstances’ establishes that the asylum applicant is not credible.” Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 167 (2d Cir.2008) (quoting 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii)). Furthermore, Dong-Lin challenges only the IJ’s finding that, although his uncle testified that Dong-Lin practices only in his bedroom, photographs showed him practicing in the living room. However, the IJ also found that Dong-Lin’s testimony that he practiced Falun Gong at a park in Flushing, NY, on only two occasions, and did not otherwise practice outside his home, contradicted his uncle’s testimony that he practiced at a park in Brooklyn. Dong-Lin does not challenge this finding in his brief. We further find, contrary to Dong-Lin’s argument, that the IJ’s demeanor finding was not erroneous. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 81 n. 1 (2d Cir.2005).

Ultimately, the IJ’s credibility determination was supported by substantial evidence. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167. Therefore, the IJ did not err in denying his application for asylum and withholding of removal. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444, F.3d 148, 156 (2d Cir.2006).

Dong-Lin has waived any challenge to the agency’s denial of his claim for CAT relief by not sufficiently arguing that issue in his brief. See Yueqing Zhang v. Gonzales, 426 F.3d 540, 541 n. 1, 545 n. 7 (2d Cir.2005) (finding that issues not sufficiently argued in the briefs are considered waived and normally will not be addressed on appeal).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, 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).