Opinion ID: 2997032
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Past Credibility

Text: Finally, the IJ relied on Ms. Balogun’s “past credibility,” by which he was referring to her misrepresentations at her airport interview on her last trip in December of 1999 into the United States. At this interview, Ms. Balogun misrepresented that a photograph of her husband that she had in her possession was her boyfriend, and she also falsely claimed that she was estranged from her husband. Further, 22 No. 02-4248 she misrepresented that her purpose in a prior trip to the United States was to buy things to sell in her country, and also misrepresented that her current trip was for the same purpose. The IJ held that these inconsistencies, while not directly connected to the heart of her alleged fear of persecution, “show a propensity to dissemble and to distort the truth when the need arises” and are “relevant in a case where the respondent is essentially asking the Court to accept her account at face value.” A.R. 46. Inconsistencies that do not relate to the basis of the applicant’s alleged fear of persecution are less probative than inconsistencies that do. See Capric, 355 F.3d at 1075. Nevertheless, multiple misrepresentations to Agency officials can serve as a factor in the credibility calculus; lying in a sworn statement is not irrelevant to credibility. The IJ did not seize on a few omitted details to conjure up an inconsistency; Ms. Balogun’s misrepresentations were numerous and apparent. Cf. Lopez-Reyes v. INS, 79 F.3d 908, 911 (9th Cir. 1996) (explaining that an “applicant’s testimony is not per se lacking in credibility simply because it includes details that are not set forth in the asylum application”); Damaize-Job v. INS, 787 F.2d 1332, 1337 (9th Cir. 1986) (holding that minor discrepancies in birth dates of children between the application and oral testimony were “trivial” errors that did not reflect on the petitioner’s credibility, especially when the applicant had no motivation to misrepresent those dates). This also is not a case in which the adverse credibility determination rests solely on inconsistencies that do not go to the heart of the petitioner’s case; rather, the IJ justifiably set these misrepresentations against the backdrop of the whole record and considered them as one factor in his credibility determination. See Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 308 (2d Cir. 2003) (explaining that the impact of “outright inconsistencies” and “omissions” must “be measured against the whole record before they may justify No. 02-4248 23 an adverse credibility determination”). Finally, the IJ’s refusal to credit Ms. Balogun’s explanations for these misrepresentations—that she was nervous—is justified. Ms. Balogun’s own testimony at the merits hearing reveals that these misrepresentations were calculated attempts to mislead the immigration officials. See A.R. 105 (explaining that she lied about her purpose in entering the United States because “I didn’t want to tell them I was working, because I knew I wasn’t supposed to be working”); id. at 124 (explaining that she lied about her husband because “I was just picked up from the airport, and I was scared that they were going to pick him up too”). Ms. Balogun challenges whether the IJ may rely on the airport interview at all. She claims that the transcript from the interview in the record is unreliable. The airport interview is more than the basis of the “past credibility” factor. It also is the source of the most damaging evidence, cited in the “timing” factor, that, at her airport interview, she was asked whether she had any fear of returning to Nigeria or any reason to believe she would be harmed if she returned to Nigeria, and she responded: “[m]aybe” and “I don’t know.” Id. at 348. The Second Circuit recently synthesized the case law on the probative value and reliability of airport interviews in subsequent immigration proceedings. See Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169 (2d Cir. 2004). As Ramsameachire and numerous other cases explain, airport interviews only are useful and probative if they are reliable. Id. at 179-81 (discussing cases). Reliability concerns not only the accuracy and validity of the documents on which airport interviews are recorded, but also the applicant’s frame of mind and ability to answer the interviewer’s questions. Id. For example, if there are language barriers or if the applicant has a reasonable fear of governmental authority (perhaps because 24 No. 02-4248 the applicant recently has been subjected to governmental abuse or coercion), then evasive answers on the question of fear of persecution would not be a reliable indicator of a true lack of fear. See id. The Second Circuit set out a useful, non-exclusive list of factors to consider in the reliability equation: First, a record of the interview that merely summarizes or paraphrases the alien’s statements is inherently less reliable than a verbatim account or transcript. Second, similarly less reliable are interviews in which the questions asked are not designed to elicit the details of an asylum claim, or the INS officer fails to ask follow-up questions that would aid the alien in developing his or her account. Third, an interview may be deemed less reliable if the alien appears to have been reluctant to reveal information to INS officials because of prior interrogation sessions or other coercive experiences in his or her home country. Finally, if the alien’s answers to the questions posed suggest that the alien did not understand English or the translations provided by the interpreter, the alien’s statements should be considered less reliable. Examining the interview in light of these factors will focus the agency’s inquiry on whether the record of the interview accurately reflects the alien’s statements, whether the alien had a full opportunity to express him- or herself, and whether the alien’s statements are likely to reflect his or her actual beliefs and fears. Id. at 180 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Ms. Balogun’s first key challenge to the transcript is that, on the first page of the transcript, she is incorrectly identified as a “male.” A.R. 344. Ms. Balogun’s second key challenge is that the date on the transcript is December 13, 1999, id., and this is “a whole day off” from the date of her actual arrival, Petitioner’s Br. at 16. It is obvious that these were No. 02-4248 25 minor clerical errors—for example, the question and answer portion of the transcript reveals that there was, in fact, no confusion regarding Ms. Balogun’s gender, see A.R. 345—and, on this record, these errors do not call into serious question the reliability of the airport interview. Any concern that we might have about the transcript reflecting the substance of the interview is relieved by the fact that Ms. Balogun did not object to this document’s admission into evidence. Moreover, at the merits hearing, she did not dispute as inaccurate her recorded representations (and misrepresentations); indeed, she openly admitted many of them. See id. at 105 (admitting that she lied about entering the country to buy things to sell in Nigeria); id. at 124-25 (admitting that she lied about her husband). Even on this appeal, she does not challenge as falsely recorded or untrue the representations and misrepresentations relied upon by the IJ. Moreover, the record reveals that Ms. Balogun is a welleducated, mature woman who speaks adequate English. The transcript was sworn and subscribed as true and correct; Ms. Balogun signed not only the last page indicating her belief “this statement is a full, true and correct record of my interrogation,” but she also initialed each page. Id. at 348. Nothing suggests that she did not completely understand the questions or the consequences resulting from her answers.13 The transcript is typed in a “Q.” and “A.” for- 13 Before the “Q.” and “A.” section, Ms. Balogun was informed that, if she lied or gave misinformation, she could be “subject to criminal or civil penalties, or barred from receiving immigration benefits or relief now or in the future.” A.R. 344. She was also told that, if she had a fear of returning home due to harm or persecution, she should so state during the interview, and that “[y]ou will have the opportunity to speak privately and confiden- (continued...) 26 No. 02-4248 mat. At the end of her interview—immediately after she was asked if she had any concern about being returned to her home country or if she would be harmed if she returned and responded “[m]aybe” and “I don’t know”—she was asked: “Do you have any questions or is there anything else you would like to add?” Id. at 348. Her only response was: “Can I stay for a year[?]” Id. Although Ms. Balogun stated that she was understandably nervous at this interview, she did not suggest that any form of coercive technique was used, and the record does not support that she has been subject to any such techniques at any point in the past. Given all these factors, we are confident that the airport interview, and the transcript of it in the record, are reliable and probative of Ms. Balogun’s true fear.14 13 (...continued) tially to another officer about your fear or concern. The officer will determine if you should remain in the United States and not be removed because of fear.” Id. She was informed that “[a]ny statement you make may be used against you in this or any subsequent administrative proceeding.” Id. She was then asked: Q. Do you understand what I’ve said to you? A. Yes Q. Do you have any questions? A. No Q. Are you willing to answer my questions at this time? A. Yes Id. 14 Ms. Balogun also suggests that the transcript of the airport interview was not admitted into evidence and was stricken or withdrawn. Given that her counsel voiced no objection to the admittance of the transcript, both counsel questioned her on the transcript during the merits hearing, and then the IJ relied on the (continued...) No. 02-4248 27