Qin Yun Chen v. Gonzales

167 F. App'x 869

Opinion

SUMMARY ORDER

UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of this petition for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”), it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the petitions for review is GRANTED, the BIA’s judgment is VACATED, and the case is REMANDED to the BIA for further proceedings.

Qin Yun Chen, through counsel, petitions for review of an order of the BIA affirming an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) order denying her application for asylum and withholding of removal. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of the case.

This Court reviews the agency’s factual findings, including adverse credibility determinations, under the substantial evidence standard. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169, 178-83 (2d Cir.2004); Secaida-Rosales v. INS, 331 F.3d 297, 306-13 (2d Cir.2003). This Court reviews questions of law and application of law to fact de novo. Secaida-Rosales, 331 F.3d at 307. While the BIA explicitly made “no determination” regarding the IJ’s adverse credibility finding, the BIA indicated that it upheld the IJ’s determination that Chen presented insufficient evidence to support her claims. However, the IJ’s sole basis for denial of asylum and withholding of removal was his adverse credibility finding. If the BIA credited Chen’s credibility, it was without basis to hold there was insufficient evidence. Since our review is limited to the BIA’s decision, we must vacate its judgment. Chen v. Gonzales, 417 F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir.2005).

Accordingly, we grant the petition to review, vacate the BIA’s judgment, and remand to the BIA for further proceedings.