Opinion ID: 2977399
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alien’s Burden of Proof

Text: An alien can request the relief of a withholding of removal under both the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3), and the CAT. Almuhtaseb v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 743, 749 (6th Cir. 2006). The alien’s burden of proof under the INA and the CAT is different. “To qualify for withholding of removal under the INA, an applicant must establish that there is a ‘clear probability’ that if [he] were removed, [his] life or freedom would be threatened on account of political opinion or the other protected grounds listed in 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(A).” Xiao Ji Chen v. United States DOJ, 434 F.3d 144, 155-56 (2d Cir. 2006). To show that there is a “clear probability,” the applicant must show that “‘it is more likely than not,’ that [he] would be subject to persecution” on account of a statutorily protected ground if he was removed. Almuhtaseb, 453 F.3d at 749 (quoting Liti v. Gonzales, 411 F.3d 631, 640-41 (6th Cir. 2005)). “Evidence of past persecution creates ‘a rebuttable presumption . . . that there is a clear probability of a future threat should the applicant be returned.” Xiao Ji Chen, 434 F.3d at 156 (citing Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 306 (2d Cir. 2003) and 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(b)(1)). “By contrast, to be eligible for withholding of removal under the CAT,” the applicant must show that “it is more likely than not that he or she would be tortured if removed to the proposed country of removal.” Almuhtaseb, 453 F.3d at 749 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).