Musa Tunkara v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Petitioner Musa Tunkara, a native and citizen of Sierra Leone, seeks review of an order from the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) dismissing Tunkara’s appeal from an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his application for withholding from removal on the basis of adverse credibility. “Where, as here, the BIA adopts the IJ’s decision while adding some of its own reasoning, we review both decisions.” Lopez-Cardona v. Holder, 662 F.3d 1110, 1111 (9th Cir.2011). We review legal questions de novo and review factual findings, including credibility determinations, for substantial evidence, treating them as “conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary.” Id. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 (a), and we deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s adoption of the IJ’s adverse credibility finding. The IJ identified many inconsistencies in Tunkara’s testimony and his application for asylum that were supported by substantial evidence and went to the heart of Tunkara’s claim. See Rizk v. Holder, 629 F.3d 1083, 1091 (9th Cir.2011). Moreover, the IJ provided specific and cogent reasons for…