Opinion ID: 177877
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Well-Founded Fear of Sterilization

Text: Contrary to Xu’s argument, because the agency determined that Xu did not suffer past persecution, he was not entitled to a presumption that his life or freedom would be threatened in the future if removed to China. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(b)(1). Moreover, as the agency found that Xu submitted no evidence indicating that “Chinese authorities sought to arrest, detain, or otherwise punish him in connection with his wife’s unauthorized pregnancy,” and as he points this Court to no evidence contradicting that finding, substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that he failed to establish a well-founded fear of sterilization based on his “other resistance” to the family planning policy. See Jian Xing Huang v. INS, 421 F.3d 125, 129 (2d Cir. 2005) (per curiam); Jian Hui Shao, 546 F.3d at 172. Finally, to the extent Xu argues he established a well-founded fear based on the threats of a fine, he provided no evidence of his income in China, his net worth, or any other facts that would make it possible to evaluate his personal financial circumstances in relation to the fines it was alleged the government would impose. See Guan Shan Liao v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 293 F.3d 61, 70 (2d Cir. 2002). Because Xu was unable to meet his burden to prove eligibility for asylum, he necessarily failed to meet the higher burden required for withholding of removal. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156 (2d Cir. 2006). 3 For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and any pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot. Any pending request for oral argument in this petition is DENIED in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34(a)(2), and Second Circuit Local Rule 34.1(b). FOR THE COURT: Catherine O’Hagan Wolfe, Clerk 4