Shao Shan Yang v. Mukasey

MEMORANDUM ***

Shao Shan Yang, a native and citizen of China, petitions for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) summarily affirming the ruling of an immigration judge (“IJ”) denying Yang’s application for asylum and withholding of removal based on her adverse credibility determination. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252 .

Where the BIA summarily affirms the IJ’s decision, we review the IJ’s decision as the final agency action. See Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1184 (9th Cir. 2006). We review the IJ’s adverse credibility determination for substantial evidence. See Singh-Kaur v. INS, 183 F.3d 1147, 1149 (9th Cir.1999).

The IJ identified several inconsistencies between Yang’s testimony and other evidence regarding his level of involvement in the Falun Gong movement, alleged beating by police and escape from a raid, and the treatment of his father in prison. Since the IJ offered “specific, cogent reason[s]” for her disbelief, Shah v. INS, 220 F.3d 1062, 1067 (9th Cir.2000), and the inconsistencies went to the heart of Yang’s asylum claim, Chebchoub v. INS, 257 F.3d 1038, 1043 (9th Cir.2001), substantial evidence supported her adverse…