Dian Xu Jiang v. Gonzales

156 F. App'x 369

Opinion

Petitioner Dian Xu Jiang, through counsel, petitions for review of the BIA decision affirming the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history.

This appeal is based on an adverse credibility determination made by an IJ and which petitioner challenges. “[T]he fact that the BIA has relied primarily on credibility grounds in dismissing an asylum application cannot insulate the decision from review.” Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169, 178 (2d Cir.2004). An adverse credibility determination must be based on “specific cogent reasons” that “bear a legitimate nexus” to the finding. Zhou Yun Zhang v. INS, 386 F.3d 66, 74 (2d Cir. 2004) (quoting Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 307 (2d Cir.2003)). Here, the IJ based his adverse credibility determination on specific inconsistencies and found the evidence did not support a claim of past persecution on the grounds of political opinion. The IJ gave specific reasons — Jiang’s testimony that only his friend was arrested differed from his friend’s statement that they were both arrested, and the fact that his friend had not suffered any subsequent persecution — to support his determination. Because these inconsistencies went to the heart of Jiang’s claim, that he was detained and would be subject to future arrest, a reasonable adjudicator would not be compelled to find otherwise. See Diallo v. INS, 232 F.3d 279, 288 (2d Cir.2000); see also Zhou Yi Ni v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 424 F.3d 172, 174 (2d Cir.2005) (per curiam).

Accordingly, the petition for review is denied.