Source: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1706302.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 15:35:42+00:00

Document:
Present DENNIS JACOBS, PIERRE N. LEVAL, and DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, Circuit Judges. Zheng Xuan Xu, Pro Se, Flushing, New York, for Petitioner. Joyce R. Branda, Acting Assistant Attorney General; Katharine E. Clark, Senior Litigation Counsel; Jacob A. Bashyrov, Office of Immigration Litigation, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
Petitioner Zheng Xuan Xu, a native and citizen of the People's Republic of China, seeks review of a June 24, 2014, decision of the BIA affirming a September 19, 2012, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying Xu's application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Zheng Xuan Xu, No. A200 733 452 (B.I.A. June 24, 2014), aff'g No. A200 733 452 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Sept. 19, 2012). We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.
Under the circumstances of this case, we review the IJ's decision as supplemented by the BIA. See Yan Chen v. Gonzales, F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir.2005). The applicable standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Yanqin Weng v. Holder, 562 F.3d 510, 513 (2d Cir.2009).
To establish eligibility for asylum, an applicant like Xu, who does not allege past persecution, must demonstrate a well-founded fear of future persecution. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101(a)(42), 1158(b)(1)(A); Kyaw Zwar Tun v. INS, 445 F.3d 554, 564 (2d Cir.2006). To do so, he must show that he subjectively fears persecution and that his fear is objectively reasonable. Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F .3d 169, 178 (2d Cir.2004); see also Jian Hui Shao v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 138, 162 (2d Cir.2008). There are two ways for an applicant to show objective fear: (1) offering evidence that he would be singled out for persecution; or (2) proving that a pattern or practice of persecution of similarly situated persons exists in his home country. 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b)(2); Mufied v. Mukasey, 508 F.3d 88, 91 (2d Cir.2007).
The agency reasonably found that Xu did not establish that he would be targeted individually for persecution in China. See Jian Xing Huang v. INS, 421 F.3d 125, 129 (2d Cir.2005) (per curiam). Although Xu testified that if he returned to China he would attend a house church, there is no evidence that Chinese authorities have threatened him or are either aware or likely to become aware of his religious activities in the United States. See Hongsheng Leng v. Mukasey, 528 F.3d 135, 143 (2d Cir.2008). Moreover, the country conditions evidence shows that Chinese authorities are more likely to target religious leaders than individual church members, and Xu never asserted that he would be a religious leader if he returned to China. Accordingly, Xu has presented no evidence to establish that Chinese authorities are likely to become aware of his Christian faith and practice.
Furthermore, substantial evidence supports the agency's determination that Xu did not show a pattern or practice of persecution against similarly situated Christians in China. See Jian Hui Shao, 546 F.3d at 169. To establish a pattern or practice of persecution of a particular group, an applicant must demonstrate that the harm to that group constitutes persecution, is perpetrated or tolerated by state actors, and is “so systemic or pervasive as to amount to a pattern or practice of persecution.” In re A–M–, 23 I. & N. Dec. 737, 741 (BIA 2005); see Mufied v.. Mukasey, 508 F.3d at 92. If the agency “explicitly discussed the pattern or practice claim and the record includes substantial documentary evidence regarding the conditions in petitioner's homeland,” we can “reach the conclusion that the agency's decision was not erroneous.” Santoso v. Holder, 580 F.3d 110, 112 n. 1 (2d Cir.2009) (per curiam).
Here, the BIA explicitly addressed Xu's claim and found that the evidence did not show a “systemic, pervasive, or organized” threat of harm because treatment varied by region. C.A.R. 4; see Jian Hui Shao, 546 F.3d at 149–50, 159–60, 163–65. The agency's finding is supported by substantial evidence, as the 2011 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom report discusses destruction of underground churches and arrests of parishioners, but not any incidents in Xu's home province of Liao Ning. Other than a general statement that the country conditions evidence in the record shows a “crackdown on unauthorized religions and religious practices,” Xu points to no specific evidence showing a pattern of persecution of Christians throughout China. And although he argued in his counseled brief to the BIA that religions in China are subject to strict government control, he does not locate in the record any evidence demonstrating either a pattern of persecution or persecution of Christians in Liao Ning province.
Finally, Xu did not present any particularized evidence showing that he would be subject to torture in China and as a result he is ineligible for CAT relief. Mu Xiang Lin v. U.S. Dep't of Justice, 432 F.3d 156, 159–60 (2d Cir.2005).

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