Rihal

MEMORANDUM *

Charanjit Rihal seeks review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) summary decision affirming the Immigration Judge’s (IJ) denial of his application for asylum and withholding of deportation. We review an adverse credibility determination under a “substantial evidence” standard. Singh-Kaur v. INS, 183 F.3d 1147, 1149 (9th Cir.1999). We must affirm the IJ’s determination “unless the evidence presented would compel a reasonable fact finder to reach a contrary result.” Id. at 1149-50 ; see also INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478 , 481 n. 1, 112 S.Ct. 812 , 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992).

In this case, the IJ’s adverse credibility determination is supported by inconsistencies in the petitioner’s testimony, including his lack of awareness of crucial events that characterized the movement for Khalistani independence (including the 1992 election boycott), his observance of Sikh customs, his level of activity in the Akali Dal Mann party, and the nature of the 1995 Golden Temple commemorative event. His testimony related to his alleged political activity and arrests was often vague and nonspecific. Finally, Rihal’s testimony conflicts with State Department reports indicating…