Case ID: f-appx_254/html/0343-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Murtaza Afsar KHAN, Petitioner v. Michael B. MUKASEY, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 06-61140
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Nov. 13, 2007.
    
      Malvern Clopton Burnett, Law Office of Malvern C. Burnett, New Orleans, LA, for Petitioner.
    Thomas Ward Hussey, Director, Robert N. Markle, Rosanne M. Perry, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation, Emily Anne Radford, Assistant Director, Washington, DC, Trey Lund, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Field Office Director, New Orleans, LA, for Respondent.
    Before GARWOOD, WIENER and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Murtaza Afsar Khan petitions for review of the order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming the decision of the Immigration Judge (IJ) that denied his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).

Khan first argues that the BIA erred in affirming the decision of the IJ that his asylum application was time-barred. Although Khan acknowledges his application was not filed within one year of his arrival, he argues that his then-pending application for adjustment of status constituted an “extraordinary circumstance” that excused the one-year filing limit. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(D). Although an alien with lawful status is one example of such an extraordinary circumstance, a pending application for adjustment of status does not change an alien’s illegal status to a legal status. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.4(a)(5)(iv); United States v. Elrawy, 448 F.3d 309, 314 (5th Cir.2006). Therefore, the BIA correctly concluded that Khan had not shown extraordinary circumstances and that his asylum application was time-barred.

Khan also argues that the BIA erred in affirming the decision of the IJ on the issue of credibility. This court gives great deference to a factfinder’s decisions concerning an alien’s credibility. Efe v. Ashcroft, 293 F.3d 899, 905 (5th Cir.2002). This court does not substitute its own judgment for that of the BIA or IJ with respect to “witness credibility or ultimate factual findings based on credibility determinations.” Id. When an IJ’s credibility determination is based on a “reasonable interpretation of the record and [is] therefore supported by substantial evidence,” it will be upheld. Chun v. INS, 40 F.3d 76, 79 (5th Cir.1994). The IJ’s credibility determination may not be overturned unless the record compels it. Id. The BIA did not err in affirming the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. The inconsistencies in Khan’s documentary evidence and testimony show that the credibility determination was a reasonable interpretation of the record and, was therefore, supported by substantial evidence. See id. The opposite conclusion, that Khan was credible, is not compelled by the evidence. See id. Accordingly, the BIA did not err in denying Khan withholding of removal or relief under the CAT. See id.

Khan also argues that the BIA and IJ erred in denying him voluntary departure. This court lacks jurisdiction to review a claim that the BIA erred in denying a request for the discretionary relief of voluntary departure. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B); Eyoum v. INS, 125 F.3d 889, 891 (5th Cir.1997).

PETITION DENIED. 
      
       Pursuant to 5th Cm. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.