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Javid v. Gonzales

Citation: 146 F. App'x 886Docket: No. 03-73389

Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; August 31, 2005; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves a native and citizen of Iran seeking review of a removal order affirmed by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), following an Immigration Judge's (IJ) denial of his asylum and withholding of removal claims. The petitioner failed to establish past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution on a protected ground, as required under U.S. immigration law. The BIA affirmed the IJ's findings without an opinion, necessitating a review of the IJ's decision. The petitioner submitted two asylum applications with conflicting narratives, which adversely affected his credibility. The IJ evaluated the merits of the second application, which claimed persecution due to his cousin's political activities. However, the IJ found no evidence that the petitioner was targeted for his political opinion or that his family faced persecution, negating the claim of imputed political opinion. Consequently, the petition for review was denied. The court's decision is unpublished, limiting its citation in future cases according to Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Legal Issues Addressed

Burden of Proof for Asylum and Withholding of Removal

Application: The petitioner must demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on a protected ground.

Reasoning: The IJ’s decision, which found that Javid failed to demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on a protected ground.

Credibility of Asylum Applications

Application: Inconsistent asylum applications and retraction of claims can undermine the credibility of the applicant’s assertions.

Reasoning: Javid submitted two asylum applications with conflicting facts. The first claimed his involvement in anti-government activities, while the second stated he had no such involvement.

Imputed Political Opinion as a Ground for Persecution

Application: The evidence must support an inference that persecution was due to an imputed political opinion, which was not established in this case.

Reasoning: The evidence did not support an inference that Javid’s treatment was due to imputed political opinion.

Non-Precedential Dispositions

Application: The court's decision is not published and is limited in its citation for future cases under 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Reasoning: The petition for review is denied, and the disposition is not for publication, limiting its citation in future cases as per 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Review of Immigration Judge's Findings

Application: The BIA's affirmation without issuing an opinion mandates a review of the Immigration Judge’s findings.

Reasoning: The BIA affirmed without issuing an opinion, leading to a review of the IJ’s findings.