Case Name: Ang Dandi SHERPA, Ngim Pashi Sherpa, Petitioners, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2016-07-07
Citations: 654 F. App'x 510
Docket Number: 13-4500
Parties: Ang Dandi SHERPA, Ngim Pashi Sherpa, Petitioners, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
Judges: PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, PETER W. HALL, RAYMOND J. LOHIER, JR., Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 654
Pages: 510–512

Head Matter:
Ang Dandi SHERPA, Ngim Pashi Sherpa, Petitioners, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, United States Attorney General, Respondent.
13-4500
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
July 7, 2016
FOR PETITIONERS: Ramesh K Shrestha, New York, New York.
FOR RESPONDENT: Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General; Justin Markel, Assistant Director; Margaret A. O’Donnell, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS, PETER W. HALL, RAYMOND J. LOHIER, JR., Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
SUMMARY ORDER
Petitioners Ang Dandi Sherpa and Ngim Pashi Sherpa, natives and citizens of Nepal, seek review of an August 15, 2011, decision of the BIA, vacating a July 20, 2009, decision of an Immigration Judge ("IJ") granting Petitioners asylum. In re Ang Dandi Sherpa, Ngim Pashi Sherpa, Nos. [ AXXX XXX XXX ]/805 (B.I.A. Aug. 15, 2011), vacating Nos. [ AXXX XXX XXX ]/805 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City July 20, 2009). We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.
Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed the decision of the BIA. See Yan Chen v. Gonzales, 417 F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir. 2005). "[T]he BIA may only review the IJ's factual findings to determine whether they are clearly erroneous." Xian Tuan Ye v. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 446 F.3d 289, 296 (2d Cir. 2006) (citing 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(d)(3)(i)). In reviewing the BIA's application of the "clear error" standard, "we must determine whether the BIA has provided sufficient justification for its conclusion that the IJ has commit- . ted clear error ,.. [and] make sure that the BIA has not violated the prohibition against making its own. findings of fact." Wu Lin v. Lynch, 813 F.3d 122, 129 (2d Cir. 2016). Here, the BIA failed to adequately explain its determination that the IJ committed clear error in finding that Mr. Sherpa suffered past persecution on account of his political opinion.
In order to demonstrate eligibility for asylum, "the applicant must establish that race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion was or will be at least one central reason for persecuting the applicant." 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(i); see also In re J-B-N-and S-M-, 24 I. & N. Dec. 208, 212 (B.I.A. 2007). "'[A]sylum may be granted where there is more than one motive for mistreatment, as long as at least one central reason for the mistreatment is on account of a protected ground." Acharya v. Holder, 761 F.3d 289, 297 (2d Cir. 2014) (quoting H.R. Rep. No. 109-72, at 165 (2005) (Conf. Rep.)).
In finding clear error in the IJ's grant of asylum, the BIA explained that there was no record evidence that Maoists targeted Ang on account of his political opinion. The BIA's explanation is contradicted by the record. Sherpa credibly testified that, in addition to being targeted for his wealth and status as a teacher, he was targeted as a long-standing member of the Nepali Congress Party and enemy of the Maoist Party. Furthermore, Ang submitted a letter from the Maoist Party that accused him of working for the Nepalese Government, which it considered a political enemy. The BIA thus ignored material evidence that Maoists may have had a mixed motive for targeting Ang, including his political opinion. Accordingly, the BIA failed to satisfy its obligation to adequately explain its determination that the IJ committed clear error in finding that Maoists persecuted Ang on account of his political opinion. See Wu Lin, 813 F.3d at 129; Acharya, 761 F.3d at 298-300.
As to social group, the BIA reasonably determined that the IJ committed clear error in finding that Maoists targeted Ang on account of his membership in a particular' social group, given that the group (defined by the IJ) lacked the required particularity and social distinction. See In re M-E-V-G-, 26 I. & N. Dec. 227, 239-40 (B.I.A. 2014). Nevertheless, in considering Ang's political persecution claim on remand, the agency should consider any political dimension to Ang's work as a teacher and affiliation with numerous teachers' organizations. See Acharya, 761 F.3d at 302.
For the foregoing reasons, the petition •for review is GRANTED, and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this order. 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).