Opinion ID: 796204
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: 7 When the BIA affirms the IJ's decision without an opinion, as is the case here, the IJ's decision is the final agency decision for purposes of judicial review on appeal. Soadjede v. Ashcroft, 324 F.3d 830, 831-32 (5th Cir.2003). The agency's administrative findings of fact are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary . . . . 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B). This standard of review essentially codifies the substantial evidence test established by the Supreme Court in INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481 & n. 1, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992). We apply this standard in reviewing an IJ's factual conclusion that an applicant is not eligible for asylum, Zhao v. Gonzales, 404 F.3d 295, 306 (5th Cir.2005), withholding of removal, Zamora-Morel v. INS, 905 F.2d 833, 838 (5th Cir.1990), and relief under the Convention Against Torture, Ontunez-Tursios v. Ashcroft, 303 F.3d 341, 353 (5th Cir.2002). 8 Under the substantial evidence standard, reversal is improper unless we decide not only that the evidence supports a contrary conclusion, but also that the evidence compels it. Zhao, 404 F.3d at 306 (quoting Chun v. INS, 40 F.3d 76, 78 (5th Cir.1994)). The applicant has the burden of showing that the evidence is so compelling that no reasonable factfinder could reach a contrary conclusion. Id.