Opinion ID: 3162305
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Closing Arguments and the IJ’s Decision

Text: In closing arguments to the IJ, Luis’s counsel argued that Luis testified credibly and that his testimony established past persecution. The government responded that its “biggest concern” in this case was “the nexus to a protected ground.” According to the government, the only evidence that Luis was kidnapped by the FARC was his own testimony. But Luis’s application, the government contended, was “lacking the corroboration as to the fact that it was the FARC . . . and why they would have a reason to harm him,” such as police reports or other documents or messages from the FARC. The government suggested his kidnapping could have been the result of some other “criminal entity.” The IJ denied Luis’s application for relief and ordered that Luis and Magnolia be removed to Colombia. After summarizing the testimony from the hearing, the IJ first determined that Luis was a credible witness, as his testimony was directly responsive to the questions asked, there were no apparent inconsistencies in his testimony, and he was very emotional when describing the events that happened. 8 Case: 14-12762 Date Filed: 12/14/2015 Page: 9 of 22 Nevertheless, the IJ stated, “this is a REAL ID Act case . . . and the respondent has failed to adequately corroborate his case to show a nexus for one of the five grounds for asylum” and therefore failed to meet his burden of proof. The IJ found that Luis provided no documentation to support his testimony that he was targeted by the FARC for his work with the Avanti Foundation. The IJ found it “alarming” that, despite being threatened and then kidnapped, Luis and Magnolia did not file a police report or otherwise report these events to authorities. The IJ noted Luis’s testimony that he was fearful of the police, but stated that “the fact of the matter is that he was kidnapped and there is no report filed.” “[I]t is not plausible,” the IJ stated, “that someone would disappear and no report be filed.” The IJ found that the “most glaring omission” of corroborating evidence was the absence of any testimony or letter from Magnolia. She would have been, the IJ stated, “the most persuasive witness” because she was there when Luis received threatening phone calls and when he returned from the kidnapping, and “there is simply no account in the record as to why his wife would not go and file a police report.” The IJ asserted that there was nothing in the record to show that she knew that the FARC had kidnapped Luis, so the IJ was “left to speculate what she was thinking when he did not come home for 15 days.” The IJ also found that Luis “has failed to provide other evidence which could have been helpful in this case,” such as letters from family members, a letter 9 Case: 14-12762 Date Filed: 12/14/2015 Page: 10 of 22 from the accountant in Cali who took over his clients when he moved to Bogotá, or evidence of medical treatment after the kidnapping. The IJ reiterated that he found Luis to be credible and that he believed that Luis had suffered. Moreover, the IJ stated, had Luis established the requisite nexus, “being kidnapped for 15 days and suffering would amount to past persecution.” But, according to the IJ, it was “difficult to understand” why he was targeted by the FARC, why he would have been kidnapped, and why he was left on the side of a road with his belongings if the FARC intended to kill him. In addition, the IJ found that there was “no evidence in the record” that Luis was promoting capitalism and viewed by the FARC as being opposed to communism. Due to the weakness of Luis’s testimony as to the nexus requirement, the IJ found, it was reasonable to expect corroborative evidence that was not presented, such as Magnolia’s testimony, police reports, medical evidence, “or any other potential evidence which would show that he was targeted on one of the five enumerated grounds.” Because Luis had not presented such evidence, the IJ found that he “failed to corroborate his case” with respect to the nexus requirement. The IJ also found that Luis did not provide any evidence that the FARC had continued to look for him after his departure or that he would be targeted should he return to Colombia. As a result, the IJ denied Luis’s asylum application and ordered his and Magnolia’s removal. 10 Case: 14-12762 Date Filed: 12/14/2015 Page: 11 of 22