Lilit Stepanyan v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Petitioner Lilit Stepanyan (“Stepa-nyan”), a citizen of Armenia, appeals the final administrative order issued by the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) denying her applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252 .

This Court reviews the BIA’s denial of an applicant’s asylum claim under the substantial evidence standard. Gu v. Gonzales, 454 F.3d 1014, 1018 (9th Cir.2006). BIA denials of withholding and CAT protection are also reviewed under the substantial evidence standard. Lanza v. Ashcroft, 389 F.3d 917, 933, 936 (9th Cir.2004). Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s findings. Therefore, we deny the petition for review.

There is substantial evidence to support the BIA’s decision that Stepanyan failed to present a viable claim for asylum. The BIA reversed the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ’s”) adverse credibility finding and concluded that Stepanyan’s testimony demonstrated past persecution on the basis of imputed political opinion. A showing of past persecution results in a presumption of a “well-founded fear of future persecution.” 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13…