Carlos Eduardo Cabrera-Noriega v. US Atty. Gen.

[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
________________________ FILED
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
No. 09-12646 ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
MARCH 8, 2010
Non-Argument Calendar
JOHN LEY
________________________
CLERK
Agency Nos. A078-616-508,
A078-616-509
CARLOS EDUARDO CABRERA-NORIEGA,
MARIA JOSE BOTERO-DE CABRERA,
MARIA ANDREA CABRERA-BOTERO,
JUAN ESTEBAN CABRERA-BOTERO,
ANA SOL BOTERO,
NATALIA REMOLINA-BOTERO,
Petitioners,
versus
U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL,
Respondent.
________________________
Petition for Review of a Decision of the
Board of Immigration Appeals
_________________________
(March 8, 2010)
Before BARKETT, HULL and FAY, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
Carlos Eduardo Cabrera-Noriega and Ana Botero petition for review of the
Bureau of Immigration Appeals’s (“BIA’s”) decision affirming the Immigration
Judge’s (“IJ’s”) order denying their applications for asylum, withholding of
removal, and relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“CAT”).
Cabrera-Noriega’s wife, Maria Jose Cabrera-De Botero, and their two children,
Maria Andrea Cabrera-Botero, and Juan Esteban Cabrera-Botero, appeal as
derivative beneficiaries of Cabrera-Noriega’s asylum application. Botero’s
daughter, Natalia Botero, appeals as a derivative beneficiary of Botero’s asylum
application. The petitioners argue that the IJ erred in finding that (1)
Cabrera-Noriega’s testimony was not credible, and (2) Cabrera-Noriega failed to
demonstrate past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. For the
reasons set forth below, we deny the petition for review.
I.
On January 19, 2001, Cabrera-Noriega, a native and citizen of Colombia,
filed an application for asylum and withholding of removal. On February 14,
2002, Botero, Cabrera-Noriega’s sister-in-law, also a native and citizen of
Colombia, filed an asylum application. All of the petitioners were issued notices to
appear, which charged that they were subject to removal under INA
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§ 237(a)(1)(B), 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(1)(B), as non-immigrants who remained in the
United States for a period longer than permitted. The petitioners admitted the
allegations contained in the notices to appear and conceded removability. The IJ
consolidated Cabrera-Noriega’s and Botero’s cases.
Cabrera-Noriega testified before the IJ that, while in Colombia, he had been
a conservative party activist, campaigning for his uncle, a governor and member of
the House, and Alvaro Gomez, a conservative party candidate for president.
Cabrera-Noriega was also a member of the Junior Chamber, which he described as
“a non-profit organization” with no political affiliation whose objective was “to
help the people that need[] the most help, and poor people.” Cabrera-Noriega also
belonged to an organization known as “Free Country,” which he described as “a
nonprofit organization that helps the families of kidnaped people.” As a
coordinator for Free Country, Cabrera-Noriega held meetings and participated in
marches.
Cabrera-Noriega explained that he was contacted by the Red Cross to act as
a negotiator between Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (“ELN”) guerillas and the
family of Allister Taylor, an English employee of a multinational corporation who
the ELN had kidnaped in July 1999. He stated that the Red Cross asked him to
help with Taylor’s case because he was known as a person who provided
humanitarian aid. On September 25, 1999, Cabrera-Noriega met with ELN
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members at a Red Cross office. The ELN members drove Cabrera-Noriega
two-and-a-half hours into the jungle, where they met a group of ten armed
guerillas. An ELN commander took Cabrera-Noriega’s personal information and
told him that they would only deal with him in the future.
Cabrera-Noriega’s second meeting with the guerillas occurred on
October 13, 1999. The guerillas informed Cabrera-Noriega that they were seeking
a $19 million ransom for Taylor’s release. Taylor’s family subsequently offered to
pay $50,000. Cabrera-Noriega informed the guerillas of the family’s offer, and the
guerillas told him that they were willing to reduce the ransom to $8 million.
Cabrera-Noriega met with the guerillas 11 times and the guerillas ultimately
lowered their ransom demand to $2 million, although the family offered to pay
only $600,000.
Cabrera-Noriega’s last meeting with the guerillas was held on June 14, 2000.
Cabrera-Noriega told the guerillas that Taylor’s family was willing to pay
$600,000. A commander told Cabrera-Noriega that “this is not a game, you
son-of-a-bitch. You’re staying here with us.” Cabrera-Noriega was blindfolded,
handcuffed with a chain, and thrown into a car. After a four-hour drive over an
unpaved road, the men forced Cabrera-Noriega to walk for two-and-a-half hours.
Cabrera-Noriega was chained to a post in a wooden cabin, where he remained for
24 days. The guerillas called Cabrera-Noriega an “oligarch and a son-of-a-bitch”
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and told him that they were going to kill him and his family “for not cooperating.”
Cabrera-Noriega explained that, to the guerillas, an oligarch meant an individual
with a social status and a better life. Cabrera-Noriega was eventually released
under the condition that he would help secure Taylor’s ransom. Cabrera-Noriega
was told to return on July 24th “with a positive answer” and, if possible, with the
$2 million ransom. Cabrera-Noriega returned to Bogota after the kidnaping on
July 8, 2000, and left Colombia on September 3, 2000. From the time he was
released until the time he left Colombia, Cabrera-Noriega received threatening
phone calls from ELN guerillas, who told him that “no oligarch son-of-a-bitch was
going to mock them,” that he had been “declared a military target,” and that they
would not rest until Cabrera-Noriega was killed.
The IJ found that Taylor’s testimony was not credible, based on
discrepancies between his testimony and his asylum application. It also found that
Cabrera-Noriega’s account was implausible and that he failed to present
corroborating documents from the Red Cross or Taylor’s family, although it would
have been reasonable to do so. The IJ denied Cabrera-Noriega’s and Botero’s
applications based on the lack of credibility and corroborating evidence. The IJ
found that, even if Cabrera-Noriega’s claims were credible, he would not be
eligible for relief because he failed to show that the actions taken against him were
on account of his political opinion. Instead, the found that the ELN’s actions were
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based on Cabrera-Noriega’s failure to obtain the ransom money. The IJ also
determined that Cabrera-Noriega’s kidnaping did not rise to the level of
persecution because he was not physically injured. Finally, the IJ denied
Cabrera-Noriega’s and Botero’s claim for CAT relief, finding that Cabrera-Noriega
failed to show that the ELN was a public official or acted with the acquiescence or
consent of Colombian officials.
Cabrera-Noriega and Botero appealed the IJ’s denial of relief, arguing that
the IJ erred by (1) determining that Cabrera-Noriega’s testimony was not credible,
(2) denying their applications for political asylum, (3) determining that they failed
to meet their burdens of proof to establish that they were refugees, and (4) denying
their applications for withholding of removal.
The BIA determined that all of the petitioners’ claims, including those of
Botero, rested on Cabrera-Noriega’s claim. It determined that it was “unnecessary
to address” the IJ’s adverse-credibility finding because, even if Cabrera-Noriega’s
testimony was credible, the IJ did not err in determining that Cabrera-Noriega
failed to establish eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal. The BIA
found that the IJ did not clearly err in determining that Cabrera-Noriega’s
kidnaping and the subsequent threats were on account of his failure to obtain the
ransom amount, rather than on account of his political opinion. It noted that the
guerillas’ comments that Cabrera-Noriega was an “oligarch,” Cabrera-Noriega’s
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testimony that he was kidnaped because the ELN was angry about his failure to
obtain the ransom, the fact that the ELN never mentioned Cabrera-Noriega’s
political opinions, and the fact that Cabrera-Noriega was released so that he could
obtain the ransom money, indicated that the ELN’s actions were based on their
desire to obtain the ransom, rather than Cabrera-Noriega’s political affiliation.
Thus, the BIA affirmed the IJ’s finding that Cabrera-Noriega failed to establish a
nexus between the persecution he suffered and a protected ground.
The BIA also found that Cabrera-Noriega did not have a well-founded fear
of future persecution on the basis of a protected ground because he was never
harmed in Colombia, he failed to show that his affiliation with any political party
or organization was so significant or well-known that he would still be targeted
nine years after leaving the country, Taylor was released in 2001, and there was no
evidence that the ELN continued to look for Cabrera-Noriega. Because
Cabrera-Noriega failed to establish that he was entitled to asylum, the BIA found
that he necessarily failed to meet his burden of proof with respect to his claim for
withholding of removal. Finally, the BIA found that Cabrera-Noriega was not
entitled to relief under the CAT because the IJ correctly found that it was not
“more likely than not” that Cabrera-Noriega would be tortured if he returned to
Colombia.
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II.
We review only the BIA’s decision, except to the extent that the BIA
expressly adopts the IJ’s opinion or reasoning. Al Najjar v. Ashcroft, 257 F.3d
1262, 1284 (11th Cir. 2001). Here, the BIA did not expressly adopt the IJ’s order,
so we review only the BIA’s order. When reviewing an order of the BIA, we
review legal issues de novo. Hernandez v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 513 F.3d 1336, 1339
(11th Cir.), cert. denied, 129 S.Ct. 44 (2008). The BIA’s factual findings are
reviewed under the substantial-evidence test. Al Najjar, 257 F.3d at 1283. Under
this test, we must affirm the BIA’s decision if it is “supported by reasonable,
substantial, and probative evidence on the record considered as a whole.” Id.
at 1284.
III.
Credibility of Cabrera-Noriega’s Testimony
We review credibility determinations under the substantial-evidence test.
Chen v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 463 F.3d 1228, 1230-31 (11th Cir. 2006). “The trier of
fact must determine credibility, and [we] may not substitute [our] judgment for that
of the BIA with respect to credibility findings.” D-Muhumed v. U.S. Att’y Gen.,
388 F.3d 814, 818 (11th Cir. 2005). The BIA must make “clean determinations of
credibility,” and, to be considered an adverse-credibility determination, the fact
finder must state explicitly that the applicant’s testimony was not credible. Yang v.
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U.S. Att’y Gen., 418 F.3d 1198, 1201 (11th Cir. 2005). If the BIA fails to make an
explicit adverse-credibility determination, we accept the petitioner’s testimony as
credible. Mejia v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 498 F.3d 1253, 1257 (11th Cir. 2007).
As discussed above, because the BIA did not expressly adopt the IJ’s
reasoning or opinion, we review only the BIA’s order. See Al Najjar, 257 F.3d
at 1284. The BIA’s order did not make an express adverse-credibility
determination but instead, analyzed Cabrera-Noriega’s claims under the
assumption that his testimony was credible. Accordingly, because the BIA did not
make an express adverse-credibility determination, we accept Cabrera-Noriega’s as
credible. See Mejia, 498 F.3d at 1257.
Past Persecution or a Well-Founded Fear of Future Persecution
An alien may establish eligibility for asylum if he shows that he has suffered
either “past persecution” or has a “well-founded fear” of future persecution based
on a protected ground. 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(b); Tang v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 578 F.3d
1270, 1277 (11th Cir. 2009). “To establish asylum based on past persecution, the
applicant must prove (1) that []he was persecuted, and (2) that the persecution was
on account of a protected ground.” Sanchez Jimenez v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 492 F.3d
1223, 1232 (11th Cir. 2007). A well-founded fear of future persecution may be
established by showing (1) past persecution that creates a presumption of a
“well-founded fear” of future persecution, (2) a reasonable possibility of being
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singled out for persecution that cannot be avoided by relocating within the subject
country, or (3) a pattern or practice in the subject country of persecuting members
of a statutorily defined group of which he is a part. 8 C.F.R. § 208.13(b)(1), (2),
(3)(i). “Both past persecution and future persecution must be ‘on account of race,
religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political
opinion.’” Sanchez Jimenez, 492 F.3d at 1232 (quoting INA § 101(a)(42)(A),
8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(42)(A)).
An alien is entitled to withholding of removal under the INA if he can show
that his life or freedom would be threatened on account of a protected ground.
Mendoza v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 327 F.3d 1283, 1287 (11th Cir. 2003). This standard
is more stringent than the “well-founded fear” standard for asylum; thus, if an
applicant is unable to meet the “well-founded fear” standard, he necessarily is
unable to qualify for withholding of removal. Al Najjar, 257 F.3d at 1292-93.
As an initial matter, the petitioners’ appellate brief fails to present any
argument regarding the BIA’s denial of their claims for CAT relief. Thus, the
petitioners have abandoned any such argument, and we do not address the BIA’s
denial of CAT relief. See Sepulveda v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 401 F.3d 1226, 1228 n.2
(11th Cir. 2005) (holding that a petitioner abandons an issue if he fails to offer
argument on it).
With respect to Cabrera-Noriega’s application for asylum, the BIA correctly
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determined that Cabrera-Noriega failed to establish a nexus between the alleged
persecution and his political opinion. See Sanchez Jimenez, 492 F.3d at 1232;
INA § 101(a)(42)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(42)(A). Cabrera-Noriega testified that he
had participated in conservative party politics by campaigning for his uncle and for
Gomez. However, there was no indication that the guerillas targeted Cabrera-
Noriega based on his involvement in these campaigns. Cabrera-Noriega also
testified that he was involved in the “Junior Chamber,” but he acknowledged that
this non-profit organization had no political affiliation. Cabrera-Noriega asserts
that the ELN targeted him based on his involvement in Free Country, which was
committed to helping kidnaping victims. However, Cabrera-Noriega testified that
it was the Red Cross that contacted him and asked him to serve as a mediator, not
the ELN. Moreover, no persecution occurred during the first ten meetings
Cabrera-Noriega had with the ELN. It was during the eleventh meeting, after
Cabrera-Noriega had failed to secure an acceptable ransom payment, that Cabrera-
Noriega was detained and the alleged persecution commenced. Thus, the
persecution was caused by Cabrera-Noriega’s failure to secure the $2 million
ransom, rather than his political beliefs. See Sanchez v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 392 F.3d
434, 438 (11th Cir. 2004) (holding that “[i]t is not enough to show that [the
petitioner] was or will be persecuted . . . due to h[is] refusal to cooperate with the
guerillas”). This finding is supported by Cabrera-Noriega’s testimony that he was
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released under the condition that he would secure the $2 million payment from
Taylor’s family and that the ELN expected the money within two weeks or he
would be killed. Cabrera-Noriega’s testimony that the ELN called him an
“oligarch” does not establish that the persecution occurred on account of a
protected ground because he explained that an “oligarch” referred to an individual
with a better social status and a better life, rather than someone with a particular
political opinion. Accordingly, Cabrera-Noriega failed to establish that any
persecution he suffered occurred on account of a protected ground.
Cabrera-Noriega’s claim based on a well-founded fear of future persecution
also fails because there was no evidence that any future persecution would be
caused by Cabrera-Noriega’s political opinions. See Sanchez Jimenez, 492 F.3d
at 1232; INA § 101(a)(42)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(42)(A). All of the persecution
that Cabrera-Noriega suffered while in Colombia arose out of his failure to obtain
the $2 million ransom from Taylor’s family. Although Cabrera-Noriega testified
that he was involved in conservative party politics and Free Country, he did not
offer any evidence showing that he was persecuted by individuals other than those
involved in the Taylor kidnaping. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the
ELN would continue to look for Cabrera-Noriega nine years after he left the
country. Accordingly, because Cabrera-Noriega failed to show that he suffered
past persecution on account of a protected ground, or that he had a well-founded
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fear of being persecuted based on a protected ground, the district court correctly
denied Cabrera-Noriega’s application for asylum. Furthermore, because Botero
asserted that the threats she received were based on Cabrera-Noriega’s problems
with Taylor’s kidnapers, the district court also correctly denied her claim for
asylum. Because Cabrera-Noriega and Botero failed to meet the higher standard of
proof required to establish eligibility for asylum, they also necessarily failed to
show eligibility for withholding of removal. See Al Najjar, 257 F.3d at 1292-93.
Accordingly, we deny the petition for review.
PETITION DENIED.
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