Case ID: f-appx_629/html/0097-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WENDI LIU, Petitioner, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 14-2760.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    Oct. 30, 2015.
    
      Khagendra Gharti-Chhetry, NY, for Petitioner.
    Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Russell J.E. Verby, Senior Litigation Counsel; John D. Williams, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: JOSÉ A. CABRANES, DENNY CHIN and RAYMOND J. LOHIER, JR., Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Wendi Liu, a native and citizen of China, seeks review of a July 7, 2014, decision of the BIA affirming a May 1, 2013, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying Liu’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Wendi Liu, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (BIA July 7, 2014), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig.Ct.N.Y.City May 1, 2013). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the ■underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

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 Liu’s, governed by the REAL ID Act of 2005, the agency may, considering the totality of the circumstances, base a credibility finding on the plausibility of the applicant’s account and inconsistencies in his statements, so long as they reasonably support an inference that the applicant is not credible. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); see Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 167 (2d Cir.2008). We defer “to an IJ’s credibility determination unless, from the totality of the circumstances, it is plain that no reasonable fact-finder could make such an adverse credibility ruling.” Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167.

Liu claims that he was persecuted in China because he had two children in violation of the family planning policy and fears future persecution because Chinese officials discovered that he worshippéd at a house church. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination, based on the finding that aspects of Liu’s claim were implausible, the internal inconsistencies in Liu’s account, and the discrepancies between Liu’s testimony and that of his witness.

The IJ reasonably found implausible Liu’s lack of knowledge regarding the Chinese family planning policy and his inability to explain why he was fined and detained. See Siewe v. Gonzales, 480 F.3d 160, 168-69 (2d Cir.2007). The agency’s adverse credibility determination is further supported by Liu’s internally inconsistent testimony regarding how often he attended church in the United States and by discrepancies in testimony about his attendance at baptism class. For example, Liu testified that he attended only one baptism class but was nonetheless baptized, while a receptionist at the church testified on Liu’s behalf that 12 classes were required for baptism, that no one could be baptized without attending the required classes, and that she knew Liu had attended all 12 required classes. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167.

Because substantial evidence supports the agency’s findings that Liu’s claim was implausible and his testimony inconsistent, the totality of the circumstances supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); see Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167. Further, because the only evidence of a threat to Liu’s life or freedom depended upon his credibility, the agency’s finding that he was not credible necessarily precludes success on his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief. 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, 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).