Case ID: f-appx_390/html/0041-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

GUO QIN ZHENG, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 09-3571-ag.
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    Aug. 18, 2010.
    
      Jeffrey E. Baron, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
    Tony West, Assistant Attorney General, Stephen J. Flynn, Assistant Director, Karen Y. Stewart, Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
    PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, Chief Judge, JON O. NEWMAN and DENNY CHIN, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Guo Qin Zheng, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, seeks review of a July 23, 2009, order of the BIA, affirming the October 26, 2006, decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Joanna Miller Bukszpan, denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Guo Qin Zheng, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. July 23, 2009), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Oct. 26, 2006). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of the case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we review the decision of the IJ as supplemented by the BIA. See Yun-Zui Guam 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); Yanqin Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009).

Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. The IJ reasonably relied on Zheng’s demeanor, which she found to be “highly evasive and nonresponsive.” As the BIA noted, Zheng was evasive and nonresponsive to the IJ’s questions concerning how long he was beaten, whether any events transpired between his June arrest and his departure from China, why his mother was arrested, and whether he obtained a statement from the person who introduced him to Falun Gong. We afford particular deference to such assessments of an applicant’s demeanor. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 81 n. 1 (2d Cir.2005); see also Li Hua Lin v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 453 F.3d 99, 109 (2d Cir.2006) (holding that “[w]e can be [] more confident in our review of observations about an applicant’s demean- or where ... they are supported by specific examples of inconsistent testimony”). Moreover, based on the BIA’s citations to nonresponsive testimony, which are supported by the record, we cannot find that we are compelled to overturn the demean- or finding.

Furthermore, the IJ reasonably found several aspects of Zheng’s testimony implausible. The IJ based this finding, in part, on the lack of corroborating evidence in the record to support Zheng’s assertion that he began to practice, and continues to practice, Falun Gong because of his ill health. The IJ’s finding in this respect was proper, as an applicant’s failure to corroborate his testimony may bear on credibility. See Xiao Ji Chen v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 471 F.3d 315, 341 (2d Cir.2006). Although Zheng offered an explanation to the IJ as to why his testimony was not implausible, the IJ was not required to credit it. See Majidi, 430 F.3d at 80-81. Moreover, such explanations — even if rational — “do not defeat a finding that the account is implausible.” See Ying Li v. BCIS, 529 F.3d 79, 83 (2d Cir.2008).

Lastly, the IJ reasonably relied on discrepancies in Zheng’s testimony to find him not credible. The IJ found that: (1) although Zheng testified that he practiced Falun Gong once a week, his witness asserted that he practiced it every day; and (2) although Zheng testified that his mother was arrested with him and later helped orchestrate his release from detention, his mother’s letter omitted these facts. Although minor and isolated discrepancies may be insufficient to support an adverse credibility finding, see Diallo v. INS, 232 F.3d 279, 288 (2d Cir.2000), the multiple discrepancies here were not isolated, and even if minor in and of themselves, relate to the basis of Zheng’s fear of persecution. Thus, the IJ reasonably relied on the cumulative effect of Zheng’s inconsistent testimony to call into question his credibility. See Tu Lin v. Gonzales, 446 F.3d 395, 402 (2d Cir.2006); see also Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 166-67 & n. 3 (2d Cir.2008) (noting that inconsistencies and omissions are “functionally equivalent”).

Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination. See Zhou Yun Zhang v. U.S. INS, 386 F.3d 66, 74 (2d Cir.2004). Because the only evidence of a threat to Zheng’s life or freedom depended upon his credibility, the adverse credibility determination in this case necessarily precludes success on his claims for asylum and withholding of removal. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156 (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). 
      
      . Because Zheng filed his asylum application before May 11, 2005, the amendments made to the Immigration and Nationality Act by the REAL ID Act of 2005 do not apply. See Pub.L. No. 109-13, § 101(h)(2), 119 Stat. 231, 305 (2005).