Rancancoj De Leon v. Immigration & Naturalization Service

MEMORANDUM **

Appellant Dora Veronica Rancancoj De Leon appeals the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”), adopting and affirming the immigration judge’s (“IJ”) denial of her applications for asylum and withholding of deportation pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §§ 1158 (a) and 1253(h). Where the BIA adopts the IJ’s findings, as here, we review the IJ’s decision for substantial evidence and will uphold it, unless the evidence compels a contrary result. Chanchavac v. INS, 207 F.3d 584, 589 (9th Cir.2000). We conclude there is substantial evidence to support the IJ’s decision and that the BIA met its independent review obligation. Accordingly, we affirm.

Because the parties are familiar with the facts, they will be discussed only to the extent they are relevant to the discussion below.

I.

The attorney general has discretion to grant asylum to individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin “because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.” 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(42)(A).

Evidence of unfulfilled threats, without more, is insufficient…