Case ID: f-appx_386/html/0664-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Nasser Ali Salim AL HAJRI, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 06-71135.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted June 17, 2010.
    
    Filed July 7, 2010.
    Olumide K. Obayemi, Esq., Law Offices of Olumide K. Obayemi, Hayward, CA, for Petitioner.
    Ronald E. Lefevre, Chief Counsel, Office of the District Counsel Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, Robbin K. Blaya, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice Civil Div./Office of Immigration Lit., Washington, DC, for Respondent.
    
      Before: HAWKINS, FISHER and TYMKOVICH, Circuit Judges.
    
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
    
      
       The Honorable Timothy M. Tymkovich, United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, sitting by designation.
    
   MEMORANDUM

Nasser Ali Salim A1 Hajri petitions for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming an Immigration Judge’s (IJ) denial of his application for asylum, withholding of removal and relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). We deny the petition.

‘We lack jurisdiction to review the BIA’s determination that no ‘extraordinary circumstances’ excused [Al Hajri’s] untimely filing of his application for asylum.” Molina-Estrada v. INS, 293 F.3d 1089, 1093 (9th Cir.2002) (citing 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(3)).

The BIA based its adverse credibility finding on substantial evidence and inconsistencies that went to the heart of the claim. See Li v. Holder, 559 F.3d 1096, 1102 (9th Cir.2009). Al Hajri dissembled during cross-examination and failed to explain numerous discrepancies between his asylum application and his testimony during direct examination. These conflicts concerned his principal arrest, as well as the number, location and timing of other arrests.

Substantial evidence also supports the BIA’s determination that A1 Hajri failed to establish a clear probability of persecution in either the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Oman. A1 Hajri presented minimal relevant documentary evidence outside of general country conditions. Without credible testimony, the BIA had a sufficient basis to conclude that A1 Hajri failed to carry his burden. See Shrestha v. Holder, 590 F.3d 1034, 1048 (9th Cir.2010); Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1186 (9th Cir.2006).

Finally, the BIA based its determination that A1 Hajri is not eligible for CAT relief on substantial evidence. Although “a CAT applicant may satisfy his burden with evidence of country conditions alone,” Aguilar-Ramos v. Holder, 594 F.3d 701, 705 (9th Cir.2010), country conditions do not show that individuals of Arabic descent are routinely tortured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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