Taslimi
Taslimi v. Holder
Opinion
Opinion
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY1
1 The IJ expressly found Taslimi and the other witnesses who testified at Taslimi’s hearing to be credible. We take those witnesses’ factual con- tentions as true. Navas v. INS, 217 F.3d 646, 652 n.3 (9th Cir. 2000) (“Where the BIA does not make an explicit adverse credibility finding, we must assume that the applicant’s factual contentions are true.”) (citing Gaya Prasad v. INS, 101 F.3d 614, 616 (9th Cir. 1996)). TASLIMI v. HOLDER 5 Taslimi is a native and citizen of Iran. She entered the United States on a visitor visa on or about October 3, 1992, with authorization to remain until October 3, 1993. She has not left the United States since her entry.
Before coming to the United States, Taslimi was Muslim. In the United States, however, Taslimi began attending Chris- tian churches. Beginning in June 2002, Taslimi attended prayer services and Bible study at the New Beginnings Chris- tian Fellowship Church of God (“New Beginnings”). On Sep- tember 5, 2002, Taslimi approached New Beginnings’ pastor and converted to Christianity. Two members of the church and the pastor witnessed Taslimi’s conversion ceremony.