Laureta Ndou v. Attorney General United States

NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
________________
No. 17-2313
________________
LAURETA NDOU,
Petitioner
v.
ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent
________________
On Petition for Review of a Final Order
of the Board of Immigration Appeals
Immigration Judge: Honorable Mirlande Tadal
(No. A208-936-858)
________________
Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
July 20, 2018
Before: AMBRO, RESTREPO, and FUENTES, Circuit Judges
(Opinion filed: December 28, 2018)
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OPINION *
*
This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does not
constitute binding precedent.
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AMBRO, Circuit Judge
In Toure v. Attorney General, 443 F.3d 310 (3d Cir. 2006), and Chukwu v.
Attorney General, 484 F.3d 185 (3d Cir. 2007), we considered a provision of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”), 18 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4), addressing what an
immigration judge (“IJ”) needs to do to develop record evidence once she determines that
an applicant’s story requires corroboration. We held that the “IJ must give the applicant
notice of what corroboration will be expected and an opportunity to present an
explanation if the applicant cannot produce such corroboration.” Chukwu, 484 F.3d at
192. The Board of Immigration Appeals (the “BIA”) subsequently determined that
notice is not required under a provision of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii), that was
not applicable at the time Toure and Chukwu were decided. Matter of L-A-C-, 26 I. & N.
Dec. 516, 523-24, 2015 WL 4386337 *6 (BIA Mar. 19, 2015) (“Applicants have the
burden to establish their claim without prompting from the Immigration Judge.”). Our
Court, however, recently confirmed that IJs in our Circuit must continue to follow
Chukwu’s notice-and-opportunity-to-respond requirements despite the BIA’s contrary
decision. Saravia v. Att’y Gen., 905 F.3d 729 (3d Cir. 2018). While normally we would
vacate and remand, the context of our case counsels otherwise.
I. Facts
Laureta Ndou, a native and citizen of Albania, arrived in the United States at JFK
International Airport and presented a stolen U.S. passport in the name of Jennifer Rani
Brogan. At her airport interview Ndou stated she was “afraid” to return to Albania
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because “[t]he loneliness is bad. I am lonely every day at home. There is no school.
There is nothing else.” If the United States returned her there, she alleged, she would be
harmed. Ndou did not mention political opinion as a reason for her fear. The
Department of Homeland Security charged her with removability for fraud and failure to
present a valid visa or entry document under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(6)(C)(i) and 8 U.S.C.
§ 1182(a)(7)(A)(i)(I). She conceded removability under both charges.
Before the Immigration Judge, Ndou, with counsel, sought asylum under
8 U.S.C. § 1158, withholding of removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3), and relief under
Article III of the Convention Against Torture, based on her membership in the
Democratic Party of Albania. She claimed that the government of Albania was
persecuting her and her family because of their political views and activities. She
testified that at certain times her grandfather was “not allowed to do anything or celebrate
anything” and that her uncle, a priest, was jailed. She said her father in 1991 was
responsible for guarding the election box during Albania’s first election. That day, she
claims, members of the Socialist Party of Albania stole the box and Ndou’s mother was
beaten unconscious. Later, in 1997 and 2000, two of her uncles fled to the United States
to avoid persecution. The first received admission through the immigration lottery
system, and the other, who faced “threats, beatings and arrests,” was granted asylum.
According to Ndou, she joined the Democratic Party herself in 2009 when she
became involved with its Youth Forum, and she assisted with the Party’s election efforts
during the 2013 election, which was won by the Socialist Party. About this time, she
testified, members of the Socialist Party threw glass bottles at her and her brother. She
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also recounted an incident in which a group of young Socialist Party supporters
threatened her with vulgar language as she was riding a bus home from Democratic
Party-related activity. The youths grabbed her by the arm, told her not to support the
Democratic Party, then left the bus and went into a black SUV with tinted windows. She
returned home so stressed that her parents called a doctor.
Ndou also claims she was later detained for several hours by the Secret Police,
who questioned her about her political activities, told her to stop supporting the
Democratic Party, and warned her that her “father could no longer protect [her].” They
“[g]rab[bed] me by my arm, my hair. They squeezed me.” Ndou alleged also that she
“was mentally tortured.” She reported the incident to police, who did nothing, telling her
that her “party was now the opposition and our job is to make your life miserable.” After
considering her predicament, Ndou left Albania for the United States. She asserts that, if
we return her to Albania, “everything bad” may happen and the government “may put me
in jail.”
To support her application for relief from removal, Ndou supplied the Democratic
Party’s written “confirmation” that she was a member of the Youth Forum in 2009, that
she “was very active in all the campaigns that occurred at the time,” and that she “was
noticed by political opponents.” Her uncle, it related, was one of the Party’s founders
and “stood shoulder to shoulder” with the activists who “toppled Communism” in his
village.
Ndou also provided a declaration from her father, Zef Ndou, corroborating her
account of the family’s longstanding involvement in the Democratic Party and
4
persecution by the Socialist Party. He explained that his daughter had supported the
Party since 2001 and that she was involved with establishing programs and recruiting
new members. Mr. Ndou claimed that, because the family’s village is known for its
support of the Socialist Party, it is “especially dangerous” for his daughter to support the
Democratic Party. He also corroborated her descriptions of the incidents involving the
thrown glass bottles, threats on the bus, and detention by the Secret Police. He concluded
that it “is not safe for her to return, and she will be in danger if she does return.”
Ndou also provided an expert’s report from Professor Bernd J. Fischer, who holds
a doctorate in Balkan history with an Albanian specialty. Based on his review of Ndou’s
application and statement, Professor Fischer reported that her description of events was
consistent with Albanian conditions generally and that he believed there is a reasonable
possibility the Socialist Party will persecute her if she returns. He had neither first-hand
knowledge of the events nor did he interview Ndou.
At the hearing, the Government’s counsel pressed Ndou on the failure to
corroborate certain of her claims. He asked why she had no medical records, police
reports, news articles featuring her family as prominent members of the Democratic
Party, nor statements from witnesses, such as her brother (who was with her when the
glass bottles were thrown) and those who were on the bus when she was attacked. Ndou
responded to these questions by agreeing that she had nothing more to corroborate the
items pressed by counsel. Neither she nor her counsel requested a further opportunity to
provide corroboration. The IJ took no part in this colloquy, did not identify any items
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needing corroboration, and afforded no opportunity to explain why corroborating
evidence may have been unavailable.
The IJ denied Ndou’s application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief
under the Convention Against Torture. She began by finding that Ndou’s testimony was
unpersuasive for several reasons. First, as noted, Ndou lied when asked whether she had
ever applied for a visa. At the airport interview, she stated she had applied twice and was
denied entry both times. During the hearing, she repeatedly denied applying. Then,
when confronted with her airport testimony, Ndou stated that her uncle had sent her an
“affidavit” to come to the U.S. After finally admitting she had applied, Ndou stated her
denial of the fact had been a “mistake.” Second, Ndou lied by presenting a false passport
at customs. Third, she gave conflicting reasons for her desire to come to the U.S. At the
airport she had cited loneliness, not persecution as a Democratic Party member. Fourth,
Ndou did not convince the IJ that she was an active member of the Democratic Party
because her “vague and unpersuasive” testimony suggested she had “only a rudimentary
knowledge of the party's goals and objectives.” Nonetheless the IJ did not “find that
there are sufficient factors present to render an adverse credibility finding.”
The IJ also found Ndou “failed to corroborate her assertion that she was mistreated
in Albania due to her political opinion.” Given the importance to Ndou’s claim, “it is
reasonable to expect [her] to produce corroboration of these events.” Moreover, as to the
corroborating evidence Ndou did provide, the IJ first accorded the declaration of Ndou’s
father “less weight” because he did not appear in person for cross-examination and
because, as a father, he “has the incentive to lie in support of his daughter’s claim.”
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Second, the IJ discounted Professor Fischer’s report, as he did not speak with Ndou and
had no independent knowledge of the incidents. Thus “[h]is report does nothing to
corroborate [Ndou’s] specific claims of mistreatment.” The IJ further noted that Ndou
“has not adequately explained her failure to provide corroboration.”
About Ndou’s asylum claim, the IJ concluded that none of the events described by
Ndou were so imminent, menacing, or harmful as to constitute persecution. Further, the
IJ found that Ndou had not shown a well-founded fear of future persecution, as it
appeared she was minimally involved with the Democratic Party, while her father, an
active member of the Party, has lived in peace in Albania since 1991. Given the failure
to establish an asylum claim, the IJ concluded that Ndou could not have met the higher
standard of proof required for withholding of removal. For the claim under the
Convention Against Torture, the IJ determined that Ndou had not shown it was more
likely than not she would suffer torture, which is defined as intentionally inflicting severe
pain and suffering. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.18(a)(1).
Ndou appealed the denial of all three forms of relief. The BIA agreed with the IJ
that the incidents Ndou described did not constitute persecution and that she did not show
a well-founded fear of persecution or a likelihood of serious harm or torture. In a
footnote at the end of its decision, the BIA rejected Ndou’s argument that the IJ
incorrectly found Ndou needed to submit corroborating evidence, as it was reasonable to
give lesser weight to her father’s statement because he was not available for cross-
examination and to Dr. Fischer’s report because he did not interview Ndou.
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Ndou petitions us primarily to assert that the IJ failed to follow Chukwu’s
requirement to notify her of the need for corroborating evidence and to allow her the
opportunity to explain why she was unable to provide it. She claims secondarily that
there is insufficient evidence to support the IJ’s adverse factual findings. We disagree as
to the latter and thus focus on the first issue.
II. Jurisdiction and Standard of Review
We have jurisdiction to review a final order of the BIA dismissing an appeal of an
IJ’s decision to deny an alien’s asylum application. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(1). Our review is
limited to the reasons provided by the BIA. Orabi v. Att’y Gen., 738 F.3d 535, 539 (3d
Cir. 2014). However, where it “adopts the findings of the IJ and discusses some of the
bases for the IJ’s decision, we have authority to review the decisions of both the IJ and
the BIA.” Chen v. Ashcroft, 376 F.3d 215, 222 (3d Cir. 2004). “[T]he administrative
findings of fact are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to
conclude to the contrary.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B)). Our review of constitutional issues
and questions of law is de novo. Chen, 376 F.3d at 222.
III. Discussion
An alien who seeks asylum or related relief carries the burden of proving that she
is a refugee. 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(i); id. § 1231(b)(3)(c); 8 C.F.R. 208.16(c)(2). But
we recognize the obvious: putting on a full-dress trial of her evidence may be near
impossible, as persons fleeing persecution are often not able to gather the relevant
evidence on the way out of their country, much of it likely being in the hands of their
persecutors. “Common sense establishes that it is escape and flight, not litigation and
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corroboration, that [are] foremost in the mind of an alien who comes to these shores
fleeing detention, torture and persecution.” Senathirajah v. I.N.S., 157 F.3d 210, 216 (3d
Cir. 1998). Hence we have held that in certain circumstances a refugee need only “prove
his persecution claim with his own testimony if it is credible.” Id. (quoting Mosa v.
Rogers, 89 F.3d 601, 604 (9th Cir. 1996)); see also 8 C.F.R. § 208.13.
The INA sets out when an asylum applicant may sustain a burden of proof with
her own testimony and when corroborating evidence is needed:
The testimony of the applicant may be sufficient to sustain the applicant’s
burden without corroboration, but only if the applicant satisfies the trier of
fact that the applicant’s testimony is credible, is persuasive, and refers to
specific facts sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant is a refugee. In
determining whether the applicant has met the applicant’s burden, the trier
of fact may weigh the credible testimony along with other evidence of
record. Where the trier of fact determines that the applicant should provide
evidence that corroborates otherwise credible testimony, such evidence
must be provided unless the applicant does not have the evidence and
cannot reasonably obtain the evidence.
8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii)(emphasis added).
Per the statute, the applicant’s evidentiary burden depends on the credibility of her
testimony. Where, as here, “no adverse credibility determination is explicitly made, the
applicant or witness shall have a rebuttable presumption of credibility on appeal.” Id.§ 1158(b)(1)(B)(iii). 1 The BIA left undisturbed the IJ’s decision not to make an adverse
credibility finding for Ndou. Accordingly, we treat her testimony as credible for
purposes of ruling on her petition for review.
1
The “appeal” referred to by the statute is the applicant’s appeal to the BIA; the applicant
“petitions” our Court. See Ming Dai v. Sessions, 884 F.3d 858, 868-69 (9th Cir. 2018).
9
As a result, Ndou’s testimony may have carried the day if the IJ had also found it
“persuasive . . . and refers to specific facts sufficient to demonstrate that [she] is a
refugee.” 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii). Instead, the IJ concluded the testimony was
“unpersuasive,” that Ndou “failed to corroborate her assertion she was mistreated in
Albania due to her political opinion,” that it was reasonable to expect corroborating
evidence given the importance of the events to Ndou’s claim, that she did not do so, and
that she did not adequately explain why. Yet the IJ at the hearing neither identified nor
asked Ndou about the availability of corroborating evidence, and did not seek her
explanation for the failure to supply it.
To assure a sufficiently rigorous review in our Circuit, Abdulai v. Ashcroft, 239
F.3d 542, 554 (3d Cir. 2001), requires IJs to complete three steps before concluding that
an applicant did not meet her burden for corroboration: (1) identify relevant facts for
which it is reasonable to expect the applicant to produce corroborating evidence; (2)
examine whether the applicant corroborated those facts; and (3) analyze whether she
explained any failure to provide corroborating evidence.
The Real ID Act of 2005 changed the scope of our review by adding to the INA a
provision directing that “[n]o court shall reverse a determination made by the trier of fact
with respect to the availability of corroborating evidence . . . unless the court
finds . . . that a reasonable trier of fact is compelled to conclude that such corroborating
evidence is unavailable.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(D). We rejected nonetheless the
argument that it altered our rule about the IJ’s duty to develop the record on
corroboration, as “it is impossible for us to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact
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[would be] compelled to conclude that such corroborating evidence is unavailable . . .
unless a petitioner is given the opportunity to testify as to its availability.” Toure, 443
F.3d at 325 (citing § 1252(b)(4)(D)); accord Chukwu, 484 F.3d at 192 (“[T]he REAL ID
Act does not change our rules regarding the IJ’s duty to develop the applicant’s
testimony, and in particular, to develop it in accord with the Abdulai steps.”); see also
Quao Lin Dong v. Att’y Gen., 638 F.3d 223, 229-32 (3d Cir. 2011); Sandie v. Att’y Gen.,
562 F.3d 246, 252-53 (3d Cir. 2009). Otherwise, the IJ has not carried out her “duty to
develop an applicant's testimony, especially regarding an issue that she may find
dispositive.” Toure 443 F.3d at 325. Moreover, such a colloquy is a “logical predicate to
appellate review,” id., that allows us, among other things, to determine if the IJ’s
assumptions as to the availability of corroboration are realistic. See Alexandra Lane
Reed, Note, Reconciling Expectations with Reality: The REAL ID Act’s Corroboration
Exception for Otherwise Credible Asylum Applicants, 115 Mich. L. Rev. 553, 578-80
(2017).
Subsection 1252(b)(4)(D)’s limitation to our review became effective when passed
on May 11, 2005, and applied to any case “in which the final administrative removal
order is or was issued before, on, or after such date.” 8 U.S.C. § 101(h)(3). However,
subsection 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii), covering an applicant’s burden of proof, applies only to
asylum applications made after the effective date of the Real ID Act. All of the cases
from our Circuit cited above had asylum applications that predated the Act; thus
§ 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii) did not apply. It does apply to Ndou’s case, as her application was
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made in 2013. Would those earlier panels have decided Ndou’s case differently than in
Toure, Chukwu, et al.?
The Government contends that we must give deference, per Chevron v. Natural
Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984), to the BIA’s interpretation of
§ 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii) because the statute is ambiguous as to whether an IJ must stop and
prompt the applicant to discuss the corroborating evidence needed to meet her burden of
proof. It argues that the BIA’s interpretation of the now-available provision is a
reasonable, hence permissible, construction of the statute. But Saravia tells us that
interpretation is not reasonable:
As noted, the last sentence in § 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii) states that “[w]here the
trier of fact determines that the applicant should provide evidence that
corroborates otherwise credible testimony, such evidence must be provided
unless the applicant does not have the evidence and cannot reasonably
obtain [it].” Whether we construe under § 1252(b)(4)(D) or
§ 1158(b)(1)(B)(ii), we cannot conclude on review that it was fair to require
Saravia to provide further corroboration without telling him so and giving
him the opportunity either to supply that evidence or to explain why it was
not available. Under any other rule, our review is not meaningful.
That opportunity to supply evidence or explain why it is not
available can only occur before the Immigration Judge rules on the
applicant’s petition. To decide otherwise is illogical temporally and would
allow for “gotcha” conclusions in Immigration Judge opinions.
905 F.3d at 737-38.
The expected result would be, as noted at the outset, an opinion that would vacate
and remand per Saravia. But, as a practical matter, Ndou conceded on questioning by the
Government’s counsel at her hearing that she had no further evidence to corroborate her
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story. 2 Thus any omissions by the IJ to indicate what corroboration she expected and the
opportunity to explain why it was unavailable would not give any hope to someone, like
Ndou, who admitted there was nothing more to back up her story. In this context, any
error was harmless. Thus we believe there is no practical alternative but to deny the
petition for review.
2
To repeat, there were no medical records, police reports, relevant news articles or
further statements from witnesses. And there was no request for more time to attempt to
gather such evidence.
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