Case Name: Roman IREMASHVILI, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2004-02-27
Citations: 88 F. App'x 791
Docket Number: No. 03-60414
Parties: Roman IREMASHVILI, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
Judges: Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 88
Pages: 791–792

Head Matter:
Roman IREMASHVILI, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
No. 03-60414.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Feb. 27, 2004.
Brian K. Bates, Quan, Burdette & Perez, Houston, TX, for Petitioner.
Leslie M. McKay, Thomas Ward Hussey, Director, Terri Jane Scadron, Earle B. Wilson, John Ashcroft, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, Hipólito Acosta, US Immigration & Naturalization Service, Houston, TX, Caryl G. Thompson, US Immigration & Naturalization Service, District Directors Office, New Orleans, LA, for Respondent.
Before HIGGINBOTHAM, DAVIS and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Roman Iremashvili petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") dismissing his appeal from the Immigration Judge's ("IJ") denial of his applications for asylum and withholding of deportation. Iremashvili argues that the BIA's denial of his application for asylum is not supported by substantial evidence. He further contends that the evidentiary hearing before the IJ lacked fundamental fairness because he was not allowed to testify in English and because of the IJ's conduct during the hearing, including the IJ's extensive cross-examination of him. Iremashvili also argues that the BIA erred in not addressing on appeal his request for an extension of voluntary departure to include the period during any subsequent judicial review.
Because the BIA did not adopt the IJ's decision, but rather issued its own opinion in dismissing Iremashvili's appeal, this court reviews the decision of the BIA. See Girma v. INS, 283 F.3d 664, 666 (5th Cir.2002). This court will uphold the factual findings that an alien is not eligible for asylum or withholding of deportation if those findings are supported by substantial evidence. Carbajal-Gonzalez v. INS, 78 F.3d 194, 197 (5th Cir.1996). The substantial evidence standard requires that the decision be based on the evidence presented and that the decision be substantially reasonable. Id.
We hold that substantial evidence supports the BIA's decision that even assuming past persecution, Iremashvili's well-founded fear of future persecution has been rebutted by changed circumstances in Georgia. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(b). Iremashvili was not deprived of fundamental fairness during the evidentiary hearing before the IJ. See Animashaun v. INS, 990 F.2d 234, 238 (5th Cir.1993).
As the respondent argues, we lack jurisdiction to address Iremashvili's argument regarding voluntary departure. See Eyoum v. INS, 125 F.3d 889, 891 (5th Cir.1997); 8 U.S.C. § 1229c(f)
Iremashvili's petition for review is DENIED. Iremashvili's motion for a stay of voluntary departure pending appeal also is DENIED.
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED; MOTION FOR STAY OF VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE PENDING APPEAL 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.