Case ID: f-appx_564/html/0629-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Uliks BEGOLLI, Rrezarta Begolli, aka Rezarta Haliti, Petitioners, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 13-145 NAC.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    May 7, 2014.
    Joshua Bardavid, New York, NY, for Petitioners.
    Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General; Keith I. McManus, Senior Litigation Counsel; Brendan P. Hogan, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    
      PRESENT: JOSÉ A. CABRANES, DENNY CHIN, SUSAN L. CARNEY, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Uliks and Rrezarta Begolli, natives of the former Yugoslavia and citizens of Ko-sovo, seek review of a January 4, 2013, decision of the BIA affirming the April 7, 2011, decision of Immigration Judge (“U”) Robert D. Weisel, which denied Uliks Be-golli’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Uliks Begolli, Rrezarta Begolli, Nos. [ AXXX XXX XXX ]/207 (B.I.A. Jan. 4, 2013), aff'g Nos. [ AXXX XXX XXX ]/207 (Immig.Ct.N.Y. City Apr. 7, 2011). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed both the IJ’s and the BIA’s opinions. See Zaman v. Mukasey, 514 F.3d 233, 237 (2d Cir.2008). The applicable standards of review are well-established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Yanqin Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009); Li Yong Cao v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 421 F.3d 149, 151, 156-57 (2d Cir.2005).

To establish eligibility for asylum or withholding of removal, an applicant must show past persecution, or a fear of future persecution, on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. See 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101(a)(42); 1231(b)(3). Opposition to government corruption may constitute a political opinion, and retaliation for expressing that opinion may amount to political persecution. See Yueqing Zhang v. Gonzales, 426 F.3d 540, 547-48 (2d Cir.2005). In considering whether opposition to corruption constitutes a political opinion, two questions to consider are whether: (1) “the applicant’s actions were directed toward a governing institution, or only against individuals whose corruption was aberrational”; and (2) “the persecutor was attempting to suppress a challenge to the governing institution, as opposed to isolated, aberrational acts of greed or malfeasance.” Rodas Castro v. Holder, 597 F.3d 93, 101 (2d Cir.2010) (internal quotations omitted).

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s conclusion that Begolli’s fear of harm does not amount to a fear of retaliation based on his political opinion. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B). Begolli was not engaged in any challenge to state corruption, but rather was harmed by individuals who objected to his professional decisions regarding whether to finance particular projects. Moreover, Begolli explicitly stated that he was not politically active, and that his privatization work was not political. Accordingly, the agency reasonably concluded that Begolli had not shown he was persecuted on account of his actual or imputed political opinion of opposition to corruption. See Rodas Castro, 597 F.3d at 101.

On appeal to the BIA, Begolli submitted new evidence regarding his eligibility for relief based on membership in a particular social group of those who work in furtherance of privatization, which the BIA construed as a motion to remand, and denied because the evidence did not establish Begolli’s prima facie eligibility for asylum. See Li Yong Cao, 421 F.3d at 156. The BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to remand, as working in the area of privatization in Kosovo is not a fundamental characteristic which Begolli cannot or should not be required to change. See Ucelo-Gomez v. Mukasey, 509 F.3d 70, 72-73 (2d Cir.2007). Cf. Gashi, 702 F.3d at 136-37 (holding that “a group consisting of potential witnesses against [Kosovo Liberation Army commander Ramush] Haradinaj” shared characteristics that were “both immutable and visible in the Kosovar society” so as to satisfy the legal elements of a particular social group).

Finally, the agency did not err in denying CAT relief, because Begolli presented no particularized evidence that he would be tortured by or with the acquiescence of the Kosovo government. See Mu Xiang Lin v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 432 F.3d 156, 160 (2d Cir.2005).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. The 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).