Case ID: f-appx_386/html/0024-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

HUANG ZHEN KE, a.k.a. Wen Zhen Ke, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 09-4056-ag.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    July 28, 2010.
    
      Feng Li, New York, New York, for Petitioner.
    Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Luis E. Perez, Senior Litigation Counsel, Juria L. Jones, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: JOSÉ A. CABRANES, RICHARD C. WESLEY, DENNY CHIN, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Huang Zhen Ke, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, seeks review of a September 11, 2009, order of the BIA affirming the January 16, 2008, decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Paul A. DeFonzo, denying her application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Huang Zhen Ke, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. Sept. 11, 2009), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Jan. 16, 2008). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of the case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we review both the IJ’s and the BIA’s opinions. See Wangchuck v. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 448 F.3d 524, 528 (2d Cir.2006). The applicable standards of review are well-established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009).

Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. As the IJ noted: (1) although Ke testified that she never practiced Falun Gong in China, a letter from her mother stated otherwise; (2) although Ke testified that she was introduced to Falun Gong in June 2005, a letter from her friend stated that she was introduced to Falun Gong in August 2005; (3) although Ke testified that she was released from detention because her mother paid the authorities, a letter from her friend stated that she was released because of her poor health; (4) although Ke testified, and stated in her application, that she had been arrested in China, she stated during her airport interview that she had never been arrested; and (5) in her application, Ke provided an address different from the one she claimed to have lived at while in hiding. Because these discrepancies were based on specific examples in the record, the agency was entitled to rely on these discrepancies to find Ke not credible. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii); see also Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 167 (2d Cir.2008). Furthermore, the IJ reasonably declined to credit Ke’s explanations, as the explanations were not supported by the record. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80-81 (2d Cir.2005) (emphasizing that the agency need not credit an applicant’s explanations for inconsistent testimony unless those explanations would compel a reasonable fact-finder to do so).

Accordingly, considering the totality of the circumstances and all relevant factors, the IJ’s adverse credibility determination was supported by substantial evidence. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii). As the only evidence of a threat to Ke’s life or freedom depended upon her credibility, the adverse credibility determination in this case necessarily precludes success on her claim for asylum and withholding of removal. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156 (2d Cir.2006). Ke does not challenge the agency’s denial of her CAT claim in her brief to this Court.

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 34.1(b).