U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2007

Minqiang Huang v. Gonzales

Minqiang Huang v. Gonzales
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · Decided July 16, 2007 · Wilkinson, Michael, Shedd
233 F. App'x 330

Minqiang Huang v. Gonzales

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Minqiang Huang, a native and citizen of the People’s Republic of China, petitions for review of the order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“Board”) affirming the immigration judge’s denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. We dismiss in part and deny in part the petition for review.

Huang seeks to challenge the Board’s denial of asylum based on its finding that *331 he failed to timely file his application within one year of his arrival in the United States. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B) (2000). We conclude we lack jurisdiction to review this determination and the Board’s denial of asylum pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(8) (2000). See Almuhtaseb v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 743, 747-48 (6th Cir. 2006).

While we lack jurisdiction to consider the Board’s ruling on the asylum claim, we retain jurisdiction to consider the denial of withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.4(a) (2006). “To qualify for withholding of removal, a petitioner must show that he faces a clear probability of persecution because of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” Rusu v. INS, 296 F.3d 316, 324 n. 13 (4th Cir. 2002) (citing INS v. Stevie, 467 U.S. 407, 430, 104 S.Ct. 2489, 81 L.Ed.2d 321 (1984)). To obtain relief under the Convention Against Torture, an applicant must show “it is more likely than not that he or she would be tortured if removed to the proposed country of removal.” 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(c)(2) (2006).

Administrative findings of fact are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to decide to the contrary. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B) (2000). We accord broad, though not unlimited, deference to credibility findings supported by substantial evidence. Camara v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 361, 367 (4th Cir. 2004). We will uphold the final agency determination if it is not “manifestly contrary to law.” Id. Based on our review of the record, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the Board’s determinations that Huang failed to meet his burden of establishing eligibility for withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture.

Accordingly, we deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis, and we dismiss in part and deny in part the petition for review. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DISMISSED IN PART; DENIED IN PART.

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