Case ID: f-appx_712/html/0075-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Gourpreet SINGH, AKA Gurpreet Singh, Petitioner, v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS III, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
    16-2989
    United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
    February 22, 2018
    FOR PETITIONER: Saad Ahmad, Fremont, CA.
    FOR RESPONDENT: Chad A. Readier, Acting Assistant Attorney General; Keith I. McManus, Assistant Director; Maarja T. Luhtaru, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
    PRESENT: RICHARD C. WESLEY, PETER W. HALL, DENNY CHIN, Circuit Judges.
   SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Gourpreet Singh, a native and citizen of India, seeks review of a July 28, 2016, decision of the BIA affirming an October 19, 2015, decision of an Immigration Judge (“U”) denying Singh’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Gourpreet Singh, No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (B.I.A. July 28, 2016), aff'g No. [ AXXX XXX XXX ] (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Oct. 19, 2015). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed both the IJ’s and the BIA’s opinions “for the sake of completeness.” Wangchuck v. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 448 F.3d 524, 528 (2d Cir. 2006). The applicable standards of review are well established. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 165-66 (2d Cir. 2008).

Considering the totality of the circumstances, and all relevant factors, a trier of fact may base a credibility determination on ... the consistency between the applicant’s ... written and oral statements ,.., the internal consistency of each, such statement, [and] the consistency of such statements with other evidence of record ... without regard to whether an inconsistency, inaccuracy, or falsehood goes to the heart of the applicant’s claim.

8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 163-64. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Singh was not credible as to his claim that Congress Party members attacked him on account of his membership in the Shiroma-ni Akali Dal Mann Party.

The agency reasonably relied on record inconsistencies regarding who prepared a supporting letter from Singh’s political party, how he obtained that letter, whether he told his party about being attacked by Congress Party members, and whether police raided his home and harassed his family members. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 165-67. Singh did not provide compelling explanations for these inconsistencies. See Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80 (2d Cir. 2005) (“A petitioner must do more than offer a plausible explanation for his inconsistent statements to secure relief; he must demonstrate that a reasonable fact-finder would be compelled to credit his testimony.”) (internal quotation marks omitted).

Given the inconsistency findings relating directly to the past harm, continued interest of the Congress Party, and the validity of the evidence, the agency’s adverse credibility determination is supported by substantial evidence. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii). That determination is dispositive of asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief because all three claims are based on the same factual predicate. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156-57 (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).