Opinion ID: 3017925
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: A well-founded fear of future persecution

Text: Celaj points to his membership in the Democratic party, the numerous threats he received, and the 2002 State Department Country Report as objective evidence of a well11 founded fear of persecution. He also argues that the fact that he and his wife went into hiding, and ultimately fled to the United States, demonstrates a subjectively genuine fear of future persecution. The government claims Celaj did not have a subjective fear of persecution because neither he nor his wife had been personally harmed by the violence in Albania. The government also argues Celaj presented no objective evidence that conditions in Albania have worsened and note that the Celajs were able to live in a different part of the country for a year without incident. To establish a well-founded fear of future persecution, an asylum applicant must meet both a subjective and an objective component. Specifically, he must show that he has a genuine fear of persecution, and that a reasonable person in his circumstances would fear persecution if returned to his native country. Gao, 299 F.3d at 272. We find substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Celaj did not demonstrate an objectively well-founded fear of future persecution. We believe that substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Celaj has not demonstrated an objectively reasonable fear of future persecution. Celaj has failed to show why threats that were not fulfilled in 2000 and 2001 would be carried out upon his return to Albania several years later. Celaj provided no evidence that he would be subject to harsher treatment if returned to Albania. See Boykov, 109 F.3d at 417 (finding no reasonable basis to believe alien would be persecuted upon return to Bolivia where court determined past treatment did not amount to persecution and she presented no evidence that she would suffer less humane treatment if returned). 12 In fact, the 2002 State Department Country Report states, “[t]here were no confirmed cases of political killings by the Government or its agents” and “no reports of politically motivated disappearances.” J.A. 144-45. Rather, the report’s citation to “high levels of violent crime” related to “individual or clan vigilante actions,” and supports the IJ’s finding that Albania is an area of general unrest and instability. J.A. 145. Finally, the BIA noted the Celajs were able to live in Albania for a year without incident before fleeing to the United States. See Castillo v. INS, 951 F.2d 1117, 1122 (9th Cir. 1991) (finding an alien’s “continued safe and undisturbed residence in his homeland after the occurrence of the event which is alleged to have induced his fear” significant in determining objective reasonableness of fear of future persecution). Under our deferential standard of review, we find substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Celaj did not have an objectively well-founded fear of future persecution.5 B. Withholding of Removal and Convention Against Torture Claims Celaj also appeals the denial of his claims for withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture. Because both claims require meeting a significantly higher burden of proof than a claim for asylum, we find the decision to deny these claims was supported by substantial evidence. To be eligible for withholding of removal, an applicant must show that it is more 5 Because Celaj fails to meet the objective component of a well-founded fear of future persecution, we need not decide whether he had a genuine subjective fear of future persecution. 13 likely than not that he will be persecuted if returned to his native country. 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3). An applicant seeking relief under the Convention Against Torture must establish “that it is more likely than not that he or she would be tortured if removed to the proposed country of removal.” 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(c)(2). Because Celaj could not meet his burden of establishing past persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution, he has not provided evidence sufficient to support either a withholding of removal or Convention Against Torture claim. See Chen, 376 F.3d at 223 (“An alien who fails to establish that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution, so as to be eligible for a grant of asylum, necessarily will fail to establish the right to withholding of removal”); Wang v. Ashcroft, 368 F.3d 347, 348 (3d Cir. 2004) (“the standard for invocation of the [Convention Against Torture] is more stringent than the standard for granting asylum”).