Court Opinion

ID: 9365295
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-01-23 18:00:41.368267+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:15:44.513478
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION                         FILED
                    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                         JAN 23 2023
                                                                      MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
                                                                        U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                              FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

JASKAMALJIT SINGH,                               No.   17-72687

                Petitioner,                      Agency No. A206-454-188

 v.
                                                 MEMORANDUM*
MERRICK B. GARLAND, Attorney
General,

                Respondent.

                     On Petition for Review of an Order of the
                         Board of Immigration Appeals

                              Submitted January 18, 2023**

Before:      GRABER, PAEZ, and NGUYEN, Circuit Judges.

      Jaskamaljit Singh, a native and citizen of India, petitions pro se for review of

the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an

immigration judge’s (“IJ”) decision denying his applications for asylum,

withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture

      *
             This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent
except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
      **
             The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision
without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
(“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review factual

findings for substantial evidence, applying the standards governing adverse

credibility determinations under the REAL ID Act. Shrestha v. Holder, 590 F.3d

1034, 1039-40 (9th Cir. 2010). We deny the petition for review.

      Substantial evidence supports the adverse credibility determination based on

an omission concerning whether he lost consciousness after being attacked, and an

inconsistency and implausibility regarding his attackers’ references to his brother

during the attacks. See id. at 1048 (adverse credibility determination reasonable

under “the totality of circumstances”); see also Zamanov v. Holder, 649 F.3d 969,

973-74 (9th Cir. 2011) (omissions supported adverse credibility determination

where they did not constitute “a mere lack of detail” but “went to the core of his

alleged fear”). Singh’s explanations do not compel a contrary conclusion. See Li

v. Garland, 13 F.4th 954, 961 (9th Cir. 2021) (IJ not compelled to accept

explanations for discrepancies). Substantial evidence also supports the finding that

without credible testimony, Singh failed to establish eligibility for asylum or

withholding of removal. See Garcia v. Holder, 749 F.3d 785, 791 (9th Cir. 2014)

(applicant’s documentary evidence insufficient to independently support claim).

Thus, Singh’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. See Farah v.

Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir. 2003) (failure to satisfy lower asylum

standard results in failure to satisfy withholding standard).

                                           2                                      17-72687
      We do not address Singh’s contentions as to the merits of his asylum and

withholding claims because the BIA did not deny relief on those grounds. See

Santiago-Rodriguez v. Holder, 657 F.3d 820, 829 (9th Cir. 2011) (review limited

to the grounds relied on by the BIA).

      Substantial evidence supports the denial of Singh’s CAT claim because it

was based on the same evidence found not credible, and Singh does not point to

any other evidence in the record that compels the conclusion that it is more likely

than not he would be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of the

government if returned to India. See Shrestha, 590 F.3d at 1048-49.

      The temporary stay of removal remains in place until the mandate issues.

      PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

                                          3                                   17-72687