Opinion ID: 12446
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mikhael’s Credibility.

Text: On appeal, Mikhael specifically challenged the IJ’s adverse credibility determination, however, the BIA declined to specifically address the credibility issue. The BIA stated “as we specifically find the Immigration Judge correctly addressed all issues other than credibility raised on appeal, the decision of the Immigrat ion Judge is affirmed based on and for all the reasons set forth in that decision.” After a de novo review, the BIA affirmed the IJ’s alternative determination “that even had he [IJ] accepted the respondent’s testimony as credible, it would not have established the respondent’s eligibility for asylum or withholding of deportation.” Thus, because credibility is not an issue, we need only review the IJ’s decision to the extent the decision addresses the factual and legal predicate upon which it found Mikhael ineligible for asylum.