Case ID: f-appx_126/html/0182-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Debaprasad DAS, Petitioner, v. Alberto R. GONZALES, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 04-60145.
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Decided April 11, 2005.
    Sandra P. Nichols, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
    Thomas Ward Hussey, Director, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation, Linda S. Wernery, U.S. Department of Justice, William Clark Minick, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, E.M. Trominski, District Director, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service District Directors Office, Harlingen, TX, Caryl G. Thompson, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service District Directors Office, New Orleans, LA, for Respondent.
    Alberto R. Gonzales, Washington, DC, pro se.
    Before REAVLEY, JOLLY, and HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Debaprasad Das, a native and citizen of India, petitions this court to review an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) denying him relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). Das contends that he faces torture at the hands of an organized crime syndicate because Das can testify against members of the organization in connection with a series of bombings. Although review of an immigration decision is ordinarily limited to the BIA’s decision, when the BIA adopts the decision of the Immigration Judge (IJ), this court may review the IJ’s decision. See Mikhael v. INS, 115 F.3d 299, 302 (5th Cir.1997). As the BIA adopted the IJ’s decision, but added its own reasons, we review both decisions.

Das’s contention that the BIA applied the wrong legal standard and relied on inapplicable precedent is without merit. The BIA’s decision correctly sets forth the legal standard for a claim under the Convention. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.18(a)(1).

As to Das’s claim that the IJ’s findings of fact were erroneous, this court will uphold a finding that an alien is not entitled to relief under the CAT if that finding is supported by substantial evidence. See Ontunez-Tursios v. Ashcroft, 303 F.3d 341, 353 (5th Cir.2002). The substantial evidence standard requires that the decision be based on the evidence presented and that the decision be substantially reasonable. Carbajal-Gonzalez v. INS, 78 F.3d 194, 197 (5th Cir.1996).

The decisions of the BIA and the IJ are supported by substantial evidence, including exhibits demonstrating that the Indian government prosecuted members of the criminal organization as well as Das’s testimony that the Indian government is actively pursuing the organization’s leader. The record does not compel the conclusion that Indian government officials would inflict, instigate, consent to or acquiesce in Das’s torture. See id.; 8 C.F.R. § 208.18(a)(1).

Acordingly, Das’s petition for review is DENIED. 
      
       Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.