Court Opinion

ID: 3201030
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-06 00:00:48.84184+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:15.010645
License: Public Domain

Case: 15-60331      Document: 00513494443         Page: 1    Date Filed: 05/05/2016

           IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                    FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                                    No. 15-60331
                                  Summary Calendar
                                                                         United States Court of Appeals
                                                                                  Fifth Circuit

                                                                                FILED
                                                                             May 5, 2016
SARFARAJ MOMIN,
                                                                           Lyle W. Cayce
                                                                                Clerk
                                                 Petitioner

v.

LORETTA LYNCH, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL,

                                                 Respondent

                       Petition for Review of an Order of the
                          Board of Immigration Appeals
                               BIA No. A200 941 469

Before KING, CLEMENT, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: *
       Sarfaraj Momin, a native and citizen of India, has filed a petition for
review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) order denying his
application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the
Convention Against Torture (CAT).
       Because the BIA affirmed the findings and conclusions of the
Immigration Judge (IJ), we review both decisions. Zhu v. Gonzales, 493 F.3d

       * Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH
CIR. R. 47.5.4.
    Case: 15-60331     Document: 00513494443      Page: 2   Date Filed: 05/05/2016

                                   No. 15-60331

588, 593-94 (5th Cir. 2007). We review an immigration court’s findings of fact
for substantial evidence. Wang v. Holder, 569 F.3d 531, 536 (5th Cir. 2009).
We may not reverse an immigration court’s factual findings unless “the
evidence was so compelling that no reasonable factfinder could conclude
against it.” Id. at 537.
      Momin does not argue that the IJ or the BIA erred in determining that
he had not shown past persecution. By failing to brief this issue, Momin has
waived or abandoned it. See Thuri v. Ashcroft, 380 F.3d 788, 793 (5th Cir.
2004). He does argue that the IJ and BIA erred in determining that he had
not established a well-founded fear of persecution if he returned to India.
Momin argues that he has a well-founded fear of persecution as a Muslim and
that a pattern or practice of persecution exists in India against Muslims. He
argues that his testimony and exhibits established that there is a country-wide
pattern of persecution against Muslims and that the government is involved.
He contends that the evidence showed that the violence is not concentrated in
one particular area but is widespread throughout India, making it very
difficult for him to relocate to a safe area.
      Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s and the BIA’s finding that Momin
failed to demonstrate a pattern or practice of persecution in India against
Muslims.      See Wang, 569 F.3d at 536.        The State Department Religious
Freedom Report indicates that the Indian government generally respects
religious freedom and practice and provides minorities with strong official legal
protection. Muslims are also the largest minority in India. Although there are
some instances of violence between religious groups, the State Department
observes that the country’s diverse religious groups generally live together
peacefully.

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     Case: 15-60331       Document: 00513494443   Page: 3   Date Filed: 05/05/2016

                                   No. 15-60331

      Because he has not satisfied the standard for asylum, Momin cannot
meet the more demanding standard for withholding of removal. See Chen v.
Gonzales, 470 F.3d 1131, 1138 (5th Cir. 2006); see also 8 C.F.R.
§ 208.16(b)(2)(i)-(ii).
      Momin also has not presented credible evidence showing that it is more
likely than not that he will face torture if he is returned to India. As such, he
has not shown eligibility for relief under the CAT. See Tamara-Gomez v.
Gonzales, 447 F.3d 343, 350 (5th Cir. 2006).
      The petition for review is DENIED.

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