Court Opinion

ID: 8420251
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-03 20:16:34.855946+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:48:23.062241
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM ***
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) upheld the Immigration Judge’s (IJ) determination that Zegarra-Cortez did not qualify for a grant of asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture. We affirm the BIA’s decision.
Burden of Proof
An alien bears the burden of establishing eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal. Singh-Kaur v. INS, 183 F.3d 1147, 1149 (9th Cir.1999). In order to satisfy the burden for asylum, “[a]n alien must show by credible, direct, and specific evidence an objectively reasonable basis for the claimed fear of persecution.” Id. The burden for withholding of removal is higher; an alien must demonstrate a “clear probability” that the alien’s life or freedom would be threatened upon returning home. Id. Therefore, if ZegarraCortez failed to establish eligibility for asylum, then he necessarily failed to establish eligibility for withholding of removal. Credibility
We review credibility findings of the IJ/ BIA under a “substantial evidence” standard. Singh-Kaur, 183 F.3d at 1149. This is an extremely deferential standard that requires upholding the IJ/BIA’s findings unless the record suggests a reasonable finder of fact would be compelled to reach a contrary result. Id.
The IJ determined that Zegarra-Cortez “was not a particularly credible witness.” The court found Zegarra-Cortez’s testimony regarding key events to be “lacking in meaningful detail as well as plausibility.” These determinations are supported by the record.
*703The trier of fact could reasonably have found that petitioner’s case is simply too flimsy and too full of holes to satisfy his burden of establishing credibility. His testimony regarding the substance of the conversations with Shining Path members was vague and lacked meaningful detail. He provides no explanation as to why the secretary of a neighborhood clean-up organization would be singled out for harassment. His testimony that he discarded the death-threat letter for fear that others may think he was associated with Shining Path is difficult to reconcile. He cannot explain how Shining Path would benefit from him fixing their cars if they had to pay the owner for the repairs. He provides no foundation for the claim that it is customary to announce license plate numbers of blown up cars. Finally, ZegarraCortez provides nothing to corroborate his story although he had adequate time to prepare his case, and he is in contact with his brother who fives in the same neighborhood to this day.
Zegarra-Cortez did not appeal the finding that he failed to qualify for protection under the Convention Against Torture.
AFFIRMED

 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.