Wong
Wong v. Gonzales
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM ***
Shana Wong, a native and citizen of China, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming an Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of her application for asylum. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence, and reverse only if the evidence compels a contrary conclusion. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1244 (9th Cir.2000). We deny the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the determination that Wong has not experienced persecution. See Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1016 (9th Cir.2003). Substantial evidence also supports the conclusion that Wong does not have a well-founded fear of persecution. After moving to the city, Wong, along with her mother and sister, attended church on a regular basis without incident. Moreover, Wong’s mother and sister continue to practice their faith in China unharmed. See Hakeem v. INS, 273 F.3d 812, 816 (9th Cir.2001) (stating that continual presence of similarly-situated family members and applicant’s practice of faith without incident undercuts claim of persecution).
Because Wong failed to establish the threshold showing that she experienced past…