Zongxiong Wang v. Holder
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Zongxiong Wang, a native and citizen of China, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dis *242 missing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence, Rivera v. Mukasey, 508 F.3d 1271, 1274 (9th Cir.2007), and we deny the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s adverse credibility determination because Wang’s in-court testimony was inconsistent with his asylum interview statements concerning his familiarity with Falun Gong and the cause of his memory problems. See Chebchoub v. INS, 257 F.3d 1038, 1043 (9th Cir.2001) (inconsistencies related to basis for alleged fear of persecution go to the heart of the claim). The IJ reasonably found Wang’s explanations for the discrepancies unconvincing. See Rivera, 508 F.3d at 1275 . In the absence of credible testimony, Wang failed to demonstrate eligibility for asylum or withholding of removal. See Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153, 1156 (9th Cir.2003).