Case ID: f-appx_620/html/0009-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Reshat BEGU, aka Begu Rashat, Petitioner, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 14-1294.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    June 25, 2015.
    Gregory Marotta, Vernon, New Jersey, for Petitioner.
    Joyce R. Branda, Assistant Attorney General; Carl McIntyre, Assistant Director; Margaret A. O’Donnell, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, PIERRE N. LEVAL and DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Reshat Begu, a native and citizen of Abania, seeks review of an April 9, 2014, decision of the BIA affirming an April 5, 2012, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying Begu’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Reshat Begu, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (BIA Apr. 9, 2014), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig.Ct.N.Y.City Apr. 5, 2012). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed the IJ’s decision as modified by the BIA. See Xue Hong Yang v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 426 F.3d 520, 522 (2d Cir.2005). 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 (2d Cir.2009), 513 (2d Cir.2009). Because Begu first applied for asylum prior to May 11, 2005, the amendments made to the Immigration and Nationality Act by the REAL ID Act of 2005 do not apply.

We review the agency’s factual findings, including adverse credibility findings, under the substantial evidence standard, treating them as “conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Shi Jie Ge v. Holder, 588 F.3d 90, 93-94 (2d Cir.2009). Inconsistencies and other discrepancies in the evidence are often sufficient to support an adverse credibility determination, but they need not be fatal if they are minor and isolated, and the testimony is otherwise generally consistent, rational, and believable. Diallo v. BIA, 548 F.3d 232, 234 (2d Cir.2008) (citing Xiao Ji Chen v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 471 F.3d 315, 335 (2d Cir.2006)). To form the basis of an adverse credibility determination, a discrepancy must be “substantial” when measured against the record as a whole. Latifi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 103, 105 (2d Cir.2005). However, “even where an IJ relies on discrepancies or lacunae that, if taken separately, concern matters collateral or ancillary to the claim, ... the cumulative effect may nevertheless be deemed consequential by the fact-fínder.” Tu Lin v. Gonzales, 446 F.3d 395, 402 (2d Cir.2006) (citations omitted). The agency need not credit an applicant’s explanations for inconsistent testimony unless they would compel a reasonable fact-finder to do so. Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80-81 (2d Cir.2005)

The agency reasonably found Begu’s airport interview inconsistent with his asylum application and testimony. During the airport interview, Begu did not make any claims based on political persecution, while his application provided a detailed account of the times he was arrested, detained, and beaten by the police for his membership in the Democratic Party. Begu stated during the interview that he feared returning to Albania because he borrowed money from family and friends who might kill him if he did not pay them back; he conceded during the merits hearing that this statement was false. The IJ reasonably rejected Begu’s explanation that he was afraid to reveal his involvement in politics to the officer at the airport. Majidi, 430 F.3d at 80-81.

The agency also reasonably found Begu’s testimony and affidavit inconsistent with the notes from his credible fear interview. Begu argues that the interview notes were unreliable because at the time the interview was conducted, he was still in immigration custody. However, the credible fear interview record bears significant indicia of reliability. See Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169, 180 (2d Cir.2004); see also Ming Zhang v. Holder, 585 F.3d 715, 723-25 (2d Cir.2009). The interview was recorded in the form of a transcript that clearly provided the questions asked and answers given, and did not merely “summarize” Begu’s statements; the officer asked Begu several questions that were clearly designed to elicit an asylum claim; and Begu answered questions clearly and included several details about his political affiliation. Finally, nothing in the interview record suggested a translation problem: Begu confirmed during the interview that he understood the interpreter, and continued to provide clear answers to the questions asked. Accordingly, the agency did not err in relying on the credible fear interview. See Ming Zhang, 585 F.3d at 725. And, considering Begu’s credible fear interview, affidavit, and testimony, he was inconsistent as to whether and how many times he was detained, when the police beat him, and whether he owed money to people in Albania.

Moreover, the IJ reasonably found that Begu’s corroborating evidence was insufficient to rehabilitate hi's inconsistent testimony, affording limited weight to the medical document and letters he submitted because their authors were unavailable for cross-examination. See Zhi Yun Gao v. Mukasey, 508 F.3d 86, 87 (2d Cir.2007); Xiao Ji Chen, 471 F.3d at 337 n. 17, 342.

Given the inconsistencies between Begu’s testimony, affidavit, and record evidence, substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination, which provided an adequate basis for denying Begu asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(l)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167; see also Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 155-57 (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).