Case ID: f-appx_637/html/0026-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Flakron LAJQI, aka Fljakron Lajajci, aka Flakorn Lajci, Petitioner, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 13-2548.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    Feb. 26, 2016.
    Gregory G, Marotta, Vernon, New Jersey, for Petitioner.
    Stuart F. Delery, Assistant Attorney General; Francis Fraser, Senior Litigation Counsel; Kate D. Balaban, Trial Attorney; Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, ROSEMARY S. POOLER and SUSAN L. CARNEY, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Flakron Lajqi, a native of Yugoslavia and a citizen of Serbia and Koso-vo, seeks review of a May 31, 2013, decision of the BIA affirming the February 3, 2012, decision of an Immigration Judge (“U”), which denied his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Flakron Lajqi, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. May 31, 2013), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Feb. 3, 2012). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts, the procedural history, and the issues presented.

Under the circumstances of this case, we review the IJ’s decision, including the portions not explicitly discussed by the BIA, Yun-Zui Guan v. Gonzales, 432 F.3d 391, 394 (2d Cir.2005). The applicable standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Yanqin Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009).

For asylum applications such as Lajqi’s, which are 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, candor, or responsiveness,” the plausibility of his account, and inconsistencies in his statements, without regard to whether they go “to the heart of the applicant’s claim.” See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 167 (2d Cir.2008).

The agency’s adverse credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence. As the IJ correctly noted, Lajqi’s testimony was both internally inconsistent and inconsistent with his asylum application. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167 (providing that an IJ may support an adverse credibility determination with “any inconsistency or omission”). For example, Lajqi’s testimony regarding his alleged January 2008 beating by members of a rival political faction conflicted with his description of the incident in his asylum application, and was internally inconsistent. The inconsistencies related to when the attack occurred, whether he suffered any physical harm, and what his assailants said to him during the alleged attack. The IJ considered and rejected his explanations that he was “confused,” “stressed,” and “emotional.” Even if these explanations are plausible, they did not have to be credited by the agency. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80-81 (2d Cir.2005).

The IJ also appropriately based her decision in part on Lajqi’s demeanor during the hearing. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii). This Court grants “particular deference” in reviewing an agency’s demeanor findings. Shu Wen Sun v. BIA, 510 F.3d 377, 380-81 (2d Cir.2007)(internal quotation marks omitted); see also Li Zu Guan v. INS, 453 F.3d 129,140 (2d Cir.2006).

Because the only evidence of a threat to Lajqi’s life or freedom depended upon his credibility, the adverse credibility determination necessarily precludes success on his claims for asylum and withholding of removal. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148,156-57 (2d Cir.2006).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, the pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot.