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Yongjiang Yu v. Mukasey

Citation: 306 F. App'x 367Docket: No. 04-71101

Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; December 29, 2008; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In this case, a Chinese national petitions for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision that dismissed his appeal following the denial of his asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection applications. The jurisdiction for review is grounded in 8 U.S.C. § 1252, which focuses on substantial evidence supporting adverse credibility findings. The BIA concluded the asylum application was time-barred, a decision the petitioner did not dispute. Key to the BIA's decision were inconsistencies in the petitioner's testimony regarding his entry into the United States and his detention timeline in China, which adversely impacted his credibility and eligibility for relief. Additionally, special deference was given to demeanor-based adverse credibility findings. The petitioner's CAT claim was similarly denied due to reliance on the same uncredible statements and the absence of further evidence indicating a likelihood of torture. The BIA also dismissed his argument about notice adequacy on a frivolous finding since it was not previously raised. The petition was ultimately denied in part and dismissed in part, with the court's decision not intended for publication or as precedent except under specific circuit rules.

Legal Issues Addressed

Adverse Credibility Determination

Application: Yu's credibility was undermined by inconsistencies in his testimony, particularly regarding his entry into the U.S. and detention timeline in China, which affected his eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal.

Reasoning: The adverse credibility determination was supported by substantial evidence, particularly concerning inconsistencies in Yu's testimony about his entry into the U.S. and his detention timeline in China.

Demeanor-based Credibility Findings

Application: The BIA's demeanor-based adverse credibility findings received special deference, further invalidating Yu's claims.

Reasoning: Demeanor-based adverse credibility findings receive special deference, which further invalidates Yu's claims.

Jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252

Application: The court's jurisdiction to review the petition is established by 8 U.S.C. § 1252, focusing on substantial evidence related to adverse credibility findings.

Reasoning: The jurisdiction is defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1252, and the review focuses on substantial evidence related to adverse credibility findings.

Procedural Default on Issues Not Raised

Application: Yu's argument about the adequacy of notice related to the agency's frivolous application finding was not considered due to his failure to raise this issue before the BIA.

Reasoning: Yu's argument about the adequacy of notice related to the agency's frivolous application finding was not considered, as he failed to raise this issue before the BIA.

Protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT)

Application: The BIA found Yu's CAT claim lacking because it was based on uncredible statements with no additional evidence indicating a likelihood of torture.

Reasoning: Regarding the CAT claim, the BIA also found it lacking, as it was based on the same uncredible statements made by Yu, with no additional evidence indicating a likelihood of torture.

Time-barred Asylum Applications

Application: The BIA determined that the asylum application was time-barred, a finding that was not contested by Yu.

Reasoning: The BIA ruled Yu's asylum application was time-barred, a finding Yu does not contest.