Opinion ID: 164938
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Principles of Judicial Review

Text: 27 Because the BIA summarily affirmed the IJ's decision without opinion, we review the IJ's order as the final agency determination. Sviridov v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 722, 727 (10th Cir.2004). We consider any legal questions de novo, and we review the agency's findings of fact under the substantial evidence standard. Under that test, our duty is to guarantee that factual determinations are supported by reasonable, substantial and probative evidence considering the record as a whole. See id.; Kapcia v. INS, 944 F.2d 702, 705 (10th Cir.1991). 9 28 The IJ's credibility determinations, like other findings of fact, are subject to the substantial evidence test. See Cordero-Trejo v. INS, 40 F.3d 482, 487 (1st Cir.1994); Abdulrahman v. Ashcroft, 330 F.3d 587, 597 (3d Cir.2003); Osorio v. INS, 99 F.3d 928, 931 (9th Cir.1996). In particular, we have held that in order to determine that an alien is not a credible witness, the IJ must give specific, cogent reasons for disbelieving his or her testimony. Sviridov, 358 F.3d at 727. 29 Finally, our review is confined to the reasoning given by the IJ, and we will not independently search the record for alternative bases to affirm. See SEC v. Chenery Corp., 318 U.S. 80, 95, 63 S.Ct. 454, 87 L.Ed. 626 (1943); Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 305 (2d Cir.2003). If an agency decides a case on a ground believed by an appellate court to be wrong, the case has to be remanded to the agency. See Palavra v. INS, 287 F.3d 690, 693 (8th Cir.2002). Thus, in the instant case, our review of Petitioner's asylum application is limited to the IJ's firm resettlement determination, and our review of his restriction of removal application is limited to whether the IJ's adverse credibility determination is sustainable.