Case ID: f-appx_359/html/0216-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

XIU QIN CHEN, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., U.S. Attorney General , Respondent.
    No. 08-4998-ag.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    Jan. 5, 2010.
    Thomas V. Massucci, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
    Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Mary Jane Candaux, Assistant Director, Achiezer Guggenheim, Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: ROBERTA. KATZMANN, B.D. PARKER and GERARD E. LYNCH, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 43(c)(2), Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., is automatically substituted for former Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey as respondent in this case.
    
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Xiu Qin Chen, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, seeks review of a September 12, 2008 order of the BIA affirming the June 21, 2006 decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Sandy Horn, insofar as it denies her application for asylum and withholding of removal. In re Xiu Qin Chen, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. Sep. 12, 2008), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City June 21, 2006). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of the case.

We review the agency’s factual findings, including adverse credibility determinations, under the substantial evidence standard. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Corovic v. Mukasey, 519 F.3d 90, 95 (2d Cir.2008). We review de novo questions of law and the application of law to undisputed fact. See Bah v. Mukasey, 529 F.3d 99, 110 (2d Cir.2008).

Because Chen filed her asylum application after May 11, 2005, the amendments made to the Immigration and Nationality Act by the REAL ID Act of 2005 apply to her asylum application. See Pub.L. No. 109-13, § 101(h)(2), 119 Stat. 231, 305 (2005). For asylum applications governed by the REAL ID Act, the agency may, considering the totality of the circumstances, base a credibility finding on an asylum applicant’s demeanor, the plausibility of his or her account, and inconsistencies in his or her statements, without regard to whether they go “to the heart of the applicant’s claim.” 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii); see Matter of J-Y-C-, 24 I. & N. Dec. 260, 265 (BIA 2007).

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination. Chen challenges the IJ’s finding that her testimony was “scant” and “generalized.” We have found that when an IJ finds that an applicant’s testimony is “vague,” he may fairly wonder whether it is fabricated, and then probe for additional details, seeking to draw out inconsistencies. Mei Chai Ye v. U.S. Dept. of Justice, 489 F.3d 517, 527 n. 9 (2d Cir.2007). This is precisely what the IJ did in this ease.

The IJ noted a discrepancy between Chen’s testimony and asylum application concerning the date her colleague, Guo Yin Xie, was arrested. Specifically, although Chen’s asylum application indicated that Xie was arrested on February 1, 2005, she testified that he was not arrested on that date. There is no merit to Chen’s argument that the IJ erred by failing to allow her an opportunity to explain this discrepancy. To the contrary, Chen was provided at least two opportunities to explain it, failing to provide a compelling explanation either time. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80-81 (2d Cir.2005). Because under the REAL ID Act, the agency may base an adverse credibility determination on any inconsistency, without regard to whether it goes to the heart of the applicant’s claim, see 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 167 (2d Cir.2008), the IJ reasonably relied on this discrepancy to find Chen not credible.

Furthermore, contrary to Chen’s argument, the IJ did not engage in impermissible speculation when he found implausible her claim that although government authorities were seeking to arrest her, she had no difficulty obtaining an official government document and departing China. The IJ found that this testimony undermined her assertion that she was a “fugitive ... wanted by the police for Falun Gong engagement.” This Court has held that an applicant’s ability to obtain identification documents in his home country while in hiding is not “a valid, cogent reason for a negative credibility finding.” See Secaida-Rosales v. I.N.S., 331 F.3d 297, 310 (2d Cir.2003), overruled on other grounds by Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167. However, we have also upheld the agency’s finding that it was implausible that a person seeking to flee from repression would repeatedly put himself in situations where he encountered legal authorities checking his identity, and possibly, his illegal status. Yan v. Mukasey, 509 F.3d 63, 68 (2d Cir.2007). In making his adverse credibility determination, the IJ did not rely solely on Chen’s ability to obtain official government documents and depart China without difficulty, but also on her inconsistent testimony. Accordingly, considering the totality of the circumstances and all relevant factors, the IJ’s credibility determination was supported by substantial evidence. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and 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(b).