Gill

*90 MEMORANDUM *

Bagh Singh Gill, a native and citizen of India, petitions for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”). The BIA adopted and affirmed a decision of the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying Gill’s applications for asylum and withholding of removal. Gill argues that the IJ’s adverse credibility determination is not supported by substantial evidence. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252 , and we deny the petition for review.

Where the BIA adopts and affirms the IJ’s decision, we review the IJ’s decision. Gui v. INS, 280 F.3d 1217, 1225 (9th Cir. 2002). We review the IJ’s finding that Gill’s testimony was not credible under the substantial evidence standard. Id. An IJ’s credibility finding is accorded “substantial deference,” but “only if the IJ has ... offered a ‘specific, cogent reason for any stated disbelief.’ ” Mendoza Manimbao v. Ashcroft, 329 F.3d 655, 658 (9th Cir.2003) (quoting Hartooni v. INS, 21 F.3d 336, 342 (9th Cir.1994)).

The IJ found that Gill’s testimony was both internally inconsistent and inconsistent with his asylum declaration. In particular, he had great difficulty recalling important dates and contradicted…