Hong Yue Chen v. Holder

374 F. App'x 211

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Decided: April 26, 2010
• Docket: 08-0045-ag
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

SUMMARY ORDER

Hong Yue Chen, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, seeks review of a December 7, 2007 order of the BIA affirming the December 8, 2005 decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Noel Ferris, which denied her application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Hong Yue Chen, No. A073 488 658 (B.I.A. Dec. 7, 2007), aff'g No. A073 488 658 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Dec. 8, 2005). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we review the IJ’s decision as supplemented by the BIA’s decision. See Yan Chen v. Gonzales, 417 F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir.2005). The applicable standards of review are well-established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 165-66 (2d Cir.2008).

I. Past Persecution: Adverse Credibility

We find no error in the agency’s adverse credibility determination. See Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 307 (2d Cir.2003) (finding that an adverse credibility determination must be based on “specific, cogent reasons” that “bear a legitimate nexus” to the finding).

The IJ reasonably relied on inconsistencies between [i] Chen’s testimony and [ii] the record of her airport interview in which she stated she was not married, had no children, and never mentioned suffering a forced abortion. Notwithstanding Chen’s argument, the record of the airport interview is reliable. See Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169, 179 (2d Cir.2004).

We defer to the IJ’s determination that Chen’s overall demeanor and her unresponsiveness undermined her credibility. See Shu Wen Sun v. Board of Immigration Appeals, 510 F.3d 377, 380-81 (2d Cir.2007); Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 81 n. 1 (2d Cir.2005). To the extent that Chen offered explanations for these discrepancies, the IJ was not compelled to credit them. See Majidi, 430 F.3d at 80-81.

We need not consider the additional credibility findings because the findings discussed above were adequate support for the adverse credibility finding. See Xian Tuan Ye v. DHS, 446 F.3d 289, 294 (2d Cir.2006). Because Chen’s applications for withholding of removal and CAT relief were based on the same factual predicate as her asylum claim, those claims necessarily fail. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 154 (2d Cir.2006); Gomez v. INS, 947 F.2d 660, 665 (2d Cir.1991).

II. Well-Founded Fear: Burden of Proof

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that Chen failed to demonstrate a well-founded fear that she would be sterilized in China based on the birth of her three children (two of whom are U.S. citizens). This argument is largely foreclosed by our decision in Jian Hui Shao v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 138 (2d Cir.2008). Chen argues that the agency failed to consider adequately the evidence she presented; but we “presume that [the agency] has taken into account all of the evidence before [it], unless the record compellingly suggests otherwise.” Xiao Ji Chen v. U.S. Dep’t. Of Justice, 471 F.3d 315, 336 n. 17 (2d Cir.2006) Chen advances no argument that would compel the conclusion that the IJ ignored any of the evidence she submitted.

Chen’s argument concerning the Aird Affidavit is unexhausted. See Foster v. INS, 376 F.3d 75, 78 (2d Cir.2004); see also Lin Zhong v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 480 F.3d 104,119-20 (2d Cir.2007). In any event, the BIA and this Court have considered similar versions of the Aird Affidavit, time and again finding it “inadequate to establish the existence of an official policy of forced sterilization ... and thus insufficient to show that the applicants were likely to face forced sterilization if returned to China.” See Jin Xiu Chen v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 468 F.3d 109, 110 (2d Cir.2006).

III. Due Process

Chen argues that the IJ’s conduct was prejudicial and denied her a fair hearing. However, Chen does not demonstrate that the IJ’s conduct here in any way denied her a full and fair opportunity to present her claims. See Li Hua Lin v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 453 F.3d 99, 104-05 (2d Cir.2006); cf. Islam v. Gonzales, 469 F.3d 53, 55-56 (2d Cir.2006).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and any pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot. Any pending request for oral argument in this petition is DENIED in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34(a)(2), and Second Circuit Local Rule 34.1(b).