Opinion ID: 218954
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Forms of Relief

Text: We begin our analysis with a brief discussion of the forms of relief at issue in this petition. Yusupov and Samadov were both granted deferral of removal under the CAT. Petitioners bring this appeal in part to afford them withholding of removal, under the INA and the CAT, which they argue provides superior procedural and substantive rights. [10] Consistent with our nonrefoulement obligations under the 1967 United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, section 241(b)(3)(A) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(A), prohibits removal of an individual unlawfully in this country if the Attorney General believes that the individual's life or freedom would be threatened in the country of removal on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion (statutory withholding of removal). [11] Credible testimony alone may be sufficient to sustain the burden of proof without further corroboration. 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(b). In addition, the CAT, as codified in regulation, provides for withholding of removal if it is more likely than not that an individual would be tortured if removed to the proposed country of removal. 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(c). Withholding of removal under both the INA and the CAT is precluded if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the alien is a danger to the security of the United States. 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(B)(iv); 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(d)(2). If the evidence indicates the applicability of [the national security exception], the applicant shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that such grounds do not apply. 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(d)(2). The national security exception, however, does not preclude grant of temporary deferral of removal under the CAT if there is a likelihood of torture. 8 C.F.R. § 1208.17(a). This court recognizes that withholding of removal provides greater protection and freedom than deferral of removal. Indeed, deferral is a more easily revocable form of relief, which would leave Petitioners vulnerable. See Khouzam v. Att'y Gen., 549 F.3d 235, 240 n. 3 (3d Cir.2008). The Government can also invoke an adverse security determination to detain Petitioners indefinitely and place them on restrictive supervised release. [12] See 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(3)(D); 8 C.F.R. § 1241.14. Although withholding like deferral does not provide the basis for adjustment to legal permanent resident status, deferral recipients who are found to be a danger to national security are considered inadmissible or deportable, which makes them per se ineligible to receive visas ... to the United States. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(5). In contrast, if granted withholding Petitioners would have no per se bars to adjustment of status, and would thus be able to obtain permanent residency through marriage, work, or family. Under the statutory scheme, the question whether an alien is a danger to the United States arises only once the IJ or BIA has found the alien is likely to be persecuted or tortured if removed to the country of nationality. Absent such a finding, the alien would be removed without consideration of his or her danger to the United States. However, both Immigration Judges and the BIA agreed that Yusupov and Samadov are likely to be tortured if removed. Thus, notwithstanding Congress' determination that restrictions on removal are warranted if there are reasonable grounds to believe an alien poses a danger to national security, courts must strictly interpret exceptions to nonrefoulement precisely because they are applied to those determined to be deserving of protection. See Yusupov I, 518 F.3d at 203-04 (In enacting the 1980 Refugee Act, Congress intended to protect refugees to the fullest extent of our Nation's international obligations. Indeed ... Congress intended to allow exceptions to our nonrefoulement obligations only in a narrow set of circumstances.); see also Xu Sheng Gao v. Att'y Gen., 500 F.3d 93, 98 (2d Cir.2007) (narrowly interpreting bar to withholding because it would authorize deportation of individuals who have established that they would likely be persecuted if returned).