Opinion ID: 201332
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Figueroa's Sworn Statements

Text: Appellants object to the IJ's reliance upon Figueroa's written sworn statements (Exhibits 3 and 6) on the ground that they were not given voluntarily and were signed under duress. This argument is likely waived. After all, the appellants did not object at the immigration hearing to the admission of those statements. And even if the appellants have not waived their present objection, the record provides no support for its premise. The IJ considered the argument that the sworn statements were not given voluntarily and rejected it based upon the testimony of Figueroa and the INS officers present when the statements were given. Such findings of fact and credibility calls are reviewed under a deferential 'substantial evidence' standard. Mendes v. INS, 197 F.3d 6, 13 (1st Cir. 1999). Our review of the record demonstrates that the standard is easily satisfied in this case.