Opinion ID: 2973555
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: “Wanted” Document

Text: Mr. Sterkaj submitted another document in which the Albanian Ministry of Public Order declared his wife a “wanted person” for “[d]enying knowledge of the whereabouts of her husband.” No. 04-4232 Sterkaj, et al. v. Gonzales Page 5 He claims on appeal that “it is not known why the document was filed with the IJ or how it was obtained.” We are unpersuaded. The record evidences that Mr. Sterkaj submitted the document in support of his application, swore that all the documents attached to the application were true to the best of his knowledge, and then neglected to repudiate or otherwise acknowledge that the document was flawed until questioned on cross-examination. Mr. Sterkaj initially testified that his troubles in Albania began on February 20, 1998. The document, however, dated ten days earlier (February 10, 1998), says that Mrs. Sterkaj has been wanted since September 20, 1997, more than five months before Mr. Sterkaj testified that his troubles began. When asked about the discrepancy on cross-examination, Mr. Sterkaj replied, “My wife never had any problem, maybe it’s a typing mistake or something like that. Because my wife never had any problem.” And on appeal, Mr. Sterkaj contends for the first time that he does not know “why the document was filed with the IJ or how it was obtained.” Mr. Sterkaj’s implicit suggestion that some other party submitted the document, without more, is unconvincing. Because Mr. Sterkaj cannot reconcile the inconsistency, we concur with the IJ’s view that Mr. Sterkaj’s argument lacks merit. In sum, the INA requires us to accord the IJ’s credibility determinations a high degree of deference. Mullai, 385 F.3d at 638. Viewing the record as a whole, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the IJ’s adverse credibility determination. Because nothing in the record compels us to disturb that determination, we affirm.