Grewal

MEMORANDUM **

Substantial evidence supports the determination of the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) that Grewal’s testimony in support of his asylum application was not credible. The IJ had a “legitimate articulable basis to question the petitioner’s credibility,” and offered “specific, cogent reason[s] for any stated disbelief.” Singh v. Ashcroft, 301 F.3d 1109, 1111 (9th Cir.2002) (quotation omitted).

The documents submitted by Grewal in support of his claim actually contradicted critical dates pertaining to the basis of his asylum claim. See Pal v. INS, 204 F.3d 935, 938 (9th Cir.2000) (upholding adverse credibility determination where date of alleged rape differed from date of doctor’s letter submitted in support of claim). On two documents, there were obvious and nearly identical alterations made to a date, neither initialed by the affiant. See id. (noting apparent falsification of doctor’s signature). In addition, as the IJ noted, Grewal’s testimony regarding his activities with the All India Sikh Student Federation (“AISSF”) was rather vague, and it was unlikely that the AISSF would use him to recruit members when he himself would not join. See Berroteran-Melendez v. INS, 955…