Singh
Singh v. Gonzales
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM ***
Gurdip Singh is a native and citizen of India. Singh petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision, which summarily affirmed the Immigration Judge’s {“13”) order denying his application for asylum and withholding of deportation. We grant the petition for review and remand for further proceedings.
Where, as here, the BIA affirms without an opinion, we review the IJ’s decision directly. See Falcon Carriche v. Ashcroft, 350 F.3d 845, 849 (9th Cir.2003). We review for substantial evidence an adverse credibility determination. Chebchoub v. INS, 257 F.3d 1038, 1042 (9th Cir.2001).
The IJ’s adverse credibility determination relied upon improper speculation, minor inconsistencies and omissions that do not go to the heart of Singh’s claim, and other improper factors. See id. at 1043 ; see also Bandari v. INS, 227 F.3d 1160, 1165-68 (9th Cir.2000). Accordingly, the IJ’s adverse credibility determination is not supported by substantial evidence. See Bandari, 227 F.3d at 1165-66 .
Singh’s contention that the BIA’s summary affirmance is a violation of due process is foreclosed by Falcon Carriche, 350 F.3d at 849-52 .