Opinion ID: 3022392
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Deferral of Removal

Text: Malachy contends that the BIA erred when it found that he had failed to establish a prima facie case for deferral of removal. To establish a prima facie case for deferral, an alien must establish that it is more likely than not that he will be tortured in the country of removal. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(c)(2). In its assessment of whether an alien will likely be tortured in -18- the country of removal, the BIA must consider “all evidence relevant to the possibility of future torture, including “information regarding conditions in the country of removal.” 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(c)(3). In this case, the BIA relied heavily on the Department of State’s Country Report on Human Rights and Practices, as it pertained to the conditions in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. Based on the Country Report, the BIA found that Catholic nationalists, conservatives, and IRA supporters and former IRA members (even those who were convicted and sentenced for terrorist offenses) were able to “freely go about their lives,” “hold prominent positions in business, government, education and other walks of life,” and “participate openly in the political process and [] hold public office.” The Country Report has been called the “‘most appropriate and perhaps the best resource’ for ‘information on political situations in foreign nations.’” Kazlauskas v. INS, 46 F.3d 902, 906 (9th Cir. 1995) (quoting Rojas v. INS, 937 F.2d 186, 190 n.1 (5th Cir. 1991)). Thus, there was ample basis for the BIA’s determination that the United Kingdom was not a place where members of Malachy’s race, religion, or political affiliations were being tortured. The BIA also pointed to other evidence that demonstrated progress towards peace in Northern Ireland, including the devolution of power from the British Parliament to the Northern Ireland Assembly, a reduction in the deployment of British military troops in Northern Ireland, and evidence that paramilitary organizations are abiding by the cease-fire, pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement.12 The BIA found that 12 The Good Friday Agreement was an agreement between the major political parties of Northern Ireland, setting forth new constitutional arrangements for Northern Ireland. The agreement was entered on April 10, 1998, and provided that whether Northern Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom would be decided by a majority of Northern Ireland voters. Seventy-one percent of Northern Ireland voters -19- Malachy had failed to establish that either the government of Northern Ireland or the government of the United Kingdom would torture him. The BIA held that the record does not support the finding that Malachy would more likely than not be detained and, if detained, that he would more likely than not be tortured and, if tortured, that it would more likely than not be with the acquiescence of the government to such torture. The only new evidence that Malachy presents in support of his argument that he is more likely than not to be tortured in Northern Ireland, is the District Court opinion regarding his son, Mark. See McAllister v. Ashcroft, No. 04-0181 (D.N.J. July 21, 2004). Our review, however, is limited to the administrative record of this case. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(A). The District Court opinion that Malachy asks us to consider is not part of the administrative record here and is therefore beyond the scope of our review. Florida Power & Light Co. v. Lorion, 470 U.S. 729, 743 (1985). Based on the evidence in the administrative record and because Malachy has failed to introduce any new evidence that we may consider, we are not compelled to come to a conclusion that is contrary to that of the BIA. We will affirm the BIA’s holding that Malachy failed to establish a prima facie case for deferral of removal.13 approved the agreement. 13 We also note that Malachy’s claim is that he will be tortured if he is returned to Northern Ireland. Malachy, however, is being removed to the United Kingdom. As the federal regulations make clear, “[e]vidence that the applicant could relocate to a part of the country of removal where he or she is not likely to be tortured” must be considered. We see no reason why Malachy and his family may choose not to return to Northern Ireland but to go instead to some other part of the United Kingdom. -20-