Case ID: f-appx_314/html/0518-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Rinaldi JOY, Petitioner v. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF the UNITED STATES, Respondent.
    No. 08-2339.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) Feb. 25, 2009.
    Opinion filed: Feb. 27, 2009.
    
      Ephraim T. Mella, Esq., Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
    Kevin J. Conway, Esq., Richard M. Evans, Esq., United States Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
    Before: BARRY, SMITH and HARDIMAN, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Rinaldi Joy petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). For the reasons below, we will deny the petition for review.

Joy, a native of Indonesia, entered the United States in November 2001. On April 21, 2003, Joy was charged as removable for overstaying his admission period. He conceded removability and applied for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Joy argued that he would be persecuted in Indonesia based on his Muslim religion. After a hearing, the IJ found Joy’s asylum application untimely, denied relief, and ordered Joy removed to Indonesia. The BIA dismissed the appeal. Joy then filed a timely petition for review

We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We may reverse the BIA’s decision only if the record permits but one reasonable conclusion which was not the one reached by the Board. I.N.S. v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992). To be eligible for withholding of removal, Joy must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that his life would be threatened in Indonesia on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Tarrawally v. Ashcroft, 338 F.3d 180, 186 (3d Cir.2003); 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(A). To be eligible for relief under the CAT, Joy must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that he would be tortured if removed to Indonesia. 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(c)(2).

Joy argues that his wife’s family members may hire someone to harm or kill him because they lost money by investing in an unsuccessful business venture with him. He asserts that there was already tension between them because his wife was Catholic and converted to Islam to marry him. Joy also points to the religious conflict between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia as support for his claim that he will be persecuted on the basis of his religion. However, as noted by the IJ, Muslims are in the majority in Indonesia and Joy’s wife’s family was willing to invest with him despite his religion. We agree with the IJ that Joy’s problems were purely personal. Joy cannot show that the record compels a finding that it is more likely than not that he would be persecuted or tortured if he is returned to Indonesia.

Accordingly, we will deny the petition for review. 
      
      . Joy does not challenge the IJ's conclusion that his asylum application was untimely.