Guoming Zheng v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Guoming Zheng, a native and citizen of China, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings, applying the standards governing adverse credibility determinations created by the REAL ID Act. Shrestha v. Holder, 590 F.3d 1034, 1039-40 (9th Cir.2010).

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s adverse credibility determination based on inconsistencies within Zheng’s testimony and between his testimony and asylum application regarding the circumstances of his arrest and detention. See id. at 1048 (adverse credibility determination was reasonable under totality of circumstances). Zheng’s explanations do not compel a contrary result. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1245 (9th Cir.2000). Further, Zheng does not challenge the agency’s demeanor finding. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir.1996). In the absence of credible testimony, Zheng’s asylum and…