Case ID: f-appx_668/html/0007-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Jinjian CHEN, Petitioner, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    15-1092
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    August 17, 2016
    
      FOR PETITIONER: Gary J. Yerman, New York, NY.
    FOR RESPONDENT: Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Blair T. O’Connor, Assistant Director;- Juria L. Jones, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
    PRESENT: REENA RAGGI, DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, RAYMOND J. LOHIER, JR., Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Jinjian Chen, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, seeks review of a March 13, 2015, decision of the BIA affirming a November 27, 2012, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) pretermitting Chen’s application for asylum and granting withholding of removal. In re Jinjian Chen, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. Mar. 13, 2015), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Nov. 27, 2012). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

An applicant for asylum must demonstrate by “clear and convincing evidence” that he filed his application within one year after the date of his “arrival in the United States.” 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B). There is an exception to the one-year bar for an applicant who “demonstrates ... the existence of changed circumstances which materially affect [his] eligibility for asylum.” Id. § 1158(a)(2)(D). Our jurisdiction to review challenges to determinations regarding the one-year bar and its exceptions is limited to constitutional claims and questions of law. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1158(a)(3), 1252(a)(2)(D).

In arguing that his baptism was the changed circumstance providing an exception to the one-year deadline, Chen challenges the agency’s factual determination that the Chinese government targets persons based on affiliation with a church, not based on baptism, and that Chen’s circumstances changed when he began attending church regularly in November 2007, almost two years before he applied for asylum in August 2009. Chen’s argument, therefore, does not raise a question of law. See Jian Hui Shao v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 138, 169 (2d Cir. 2008) (reviewing the BIA’s factual findings regarding country conditions under the substantial evidence standard); Xiao Ji Chen v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 471 F.3d 315, 330-32 (2d Cir. 2006) (dismissing a petition for lack of jurisdiction where the petitioner challenged the IJ’s factual findings regarding changed circumstances). Accordingly, we lack jurisdiction.

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DISMISSED. 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).