Court Opinion

ID: 8423794
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-03 23:58:15.134614+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:48:28.169205
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM ***
Harbakhash Singh Wahga, a native and citizen of India, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) summary affirmance of an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his applications for asylum and restriction on removal. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252. Because of the BIA’s summary affirmance, we treat the IJ’s decision as the decision of the BIA. 8 C.F.R. 1003.1(e)(4); Falcon Carriche v. Ashcroft, 350 F.3d 845, 849 (9th Cir.2003). We review an adverse credibility finding and a denial of asylum under the substantial evidence standard and will uphold the IJ’s decision unless the evidence compels a contrary conclusion. Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1244-45 (9th Cir.2000). As the parties are familiar with the facts, procedural history, and arguments, we cite them only as necessary. We deny the petition.
Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s adverse credibility findings. Specifically, Wahga’s testimony regarding the length of time he was detained following each of his arrests was inconsistent with the information provided in the affidavits purportedly from Wahga’s father and the village sarpanch. Furthermore, those affidavits, prepared at Wahga’s request and based on details he provided, were suspiciously similar both to each other and to Wahga’s own declaration. Most importantly, however, was Wahga’s failure to present any documentation regarding his identity. Wahga stated that his estranged wife possessed all such documentation and would not send it to him, but that he could, if necessary, obtain identity documents from India. This explanation is implausible and reveals Wahga’s lack of interest in accurately establishing his identity. A reasonable fact-finder would not have been compelled to conclude that Wahga was a credible witness. Ghaly v. INS, 58 F.3d 1425, 1431 (9th Cir.1995).
Based on the foregoing, it follows that Wahga did not satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Wang v. Ashcroft, 341 F.3d 1015, 1022-23 (9th Cir.2003).
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

 This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.