Bangura v. Mukasey

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Bangura v. Mukasey, 256 F. App'x 138 (9th Cir. 2007)

Bangura v. Mukasey

Opinion of the Court

MEMORANDUM **

Ebrahima Bangura, a native and citizen of Sierra Leone, petitions for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) order denying his application for asylum and withholding of removal. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. Where the BIA adopts the IJ’s decision while adding its own reasons, we review both decisions. See Kataria v. INS, 232 F.3d 1107, 1112 (9th Cir. 2000). We review for substantial evidence, see Li v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 959, 962 (9th Cir. 2004), and we deny the petition for review.

The government contends that we should strike the portions of the petitioner’s brief citing to and relying on material that was not part of the administrative record. Because our review is limited to the administrative record underlying the BIA’s decision, we agree. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(A); see also Njuguna v. Ashcroft, 374 F.3d 765, 769 (9th Cir. 2004).

Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s finding that Bangura testified inconsistently as to who killed his parents, and whether or not he was beaten while detained by the rebels. See de Leon-Barrios v. INS, 116 F.3d 391, 393-94 (9th Cir. 1997). Because these issues go to the heart of Bangura’s claim, the adverse credibility determination is supported by substantial evidence. See Li, 378 F.3d at 962. Accordingly, Bangura’s contentions *140regarding past persecution, well-founded fear of future persecution and humanitarian asylum fail. See Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir. 2003).

Because Bangura failed to satisfy the lower standard of proof for asylum, it necessarily follows that he failed to satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See id.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Reference

Full Case Name
Ebrahima BANGURA v. Michael B. MUKASEY, Attorney General
Status
Published