Utam v. Holder
Utam v. Holder
Opinion of the Court
SUMMARY ORDER
Petitioner Budney Utam, a native and citizen of Guyana, seeks review of a May 22, 2008 order of the BIA affirming the January 8, 2007 decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Jeffrey S. Chase denying Utam’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Budney Utam, No. A98 632 252 (B.I.A. May 22, 2008), aff'g No. A98 632 252 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Jan. 8, 2007). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.
As an initial matter, we consider only Utam’s due process argument, as she has waived any challenge to the IJ’s adverse credibility determination in her brief to this Court. See Yueqing Zhang v. Gonzales, 426 F.3d 540, 541 n. 1, 545 n. 7 (2d Cir. 2005)
We find no merit in Utam’s argument that the IJ’s conduct impinged on her due
Utam further argues that the IJ should have adjourned her hearing to a date when her mother and brother could have presented them testimony, and that he impinged on her due process rights when he went forward with the hearing despite their absence. However, Utam did not seek an adjournment of her hearing date, nor did she ask the IJ for an opportunity to present their testimony at a later time. Indeed, it appears that Utam did not inform her own attorney that her witnesses would not be present until the day of the hearing. When the IJ asked whether Utam had requested an adjournment to accommodate her witnesses, neither Utam nor her attorney made such a request. Cf. Sanusi v. Gonzales, 445 F.3d 193, 199 (2d Cir. 2006). Because Utam cannot demonstrate that she was denied a full and fair opportunity to present her claims, her due process challenge fails. See Burger, 498 F.3d at 134.
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(b).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.