SHRESTHA v. GARLAND (2021)

SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Laxman Shrestha, a native and citizen of Nepal, seeks review of a November 29, 2018, decision of the BIA affirming a November 2, 2017, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying Shrestha's application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Laxman Shrestha, No. A208 927 770 (B.I.A. Nov. 29, 2018), aff'g No. A208 927 770 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Nov. 2, 2017). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history.

We have reviewed both the BIA's and IJ's decisions “for the sake of completeness.” Wangchuck v. Dep't of Homeland Sec., 448 F.3d 524, 528 (2d Cir. 2006). The standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); Lecaj v. Holder, 616 F.3d 111, 114 (2d Cir. 2010).

The agency did not err in concluding that Shrestha failed to satisfy his burden of proof for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief based on his claim that Maoists attempted to attack him in 2009 and threatened him in 2013 on account of his membership in the Nepali Congress Party. To establish eligibility for asylum, Shrestha was required to show that he suffered past persecution, or that he has a well-founded fear of future persecution, on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101(a)(42), 1158(b)(1)(A), (B)(i).

The agency did not err in concluding that Shrestha's experiences did not rise to the level of persecution because he was not harmed in either incident, he did not have any interaction with Maoists in Nepal during the four years between the incidents or the one and a half years after the second incident, and the Maoists’ threats went unfulfilled. See Mei Fun Wong v. Holder, 633 F.3d 64, 72 (2d Cir. 2011) (“[P]ersecution is an extreme concept that does not include every sort of treatment our society regards as offensive.” (internal quotation marks omitted)); Jian Qiu Liu v. Holder, 632 F.3d 820, 822 (2d Cir. 2011) (finding no error in the agency's determination that an alien failed to establish past persecution when “he suffered only minor bruising from an altercation with family planning officials, which required no formal medical attention and had no lasting physical effect”); Gui Ci Pan v. U.S. Att'y General, 449 F.3d 408, 412–13 (2d Cir. 2006) (concluding that unfulfilled threats do not constitute persecution).

Absent past persecution, an alien may establish eligibility for asylum by demonstrating a well-founded fear of future persecution, “which requires that the alien present credible testimony that he subjectively fears persecution and establish that his fear is objectively reasonable.” Ramsameachire v. Ashcroft, 357 F.3d 169, 178 (2d Cir. 2004); see also 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b)(2). The agency did not err in concluding that Shrestha failed to establish a well-founded fear of persecution in Nepal because he remained unharmed in Nepal for one and a half years after the 2013 threat and conditions in Nepal had improved significantly since then. See Melgar de Torres v. Reno, 191 F.3d 307, 313 (2d Cir. 1999) (finding a fear of future persecution weakened when similarly situated family members remain unharmed in petitioner's native country); see also Ramsameachire, 357 F.3d at 178. Because Shrestha does not have a well-founded fear of persecution, the agency did not err in denying asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief because all three claims were based on the same factual predicate. See Lecaj, 616 F.3d at 119–20.

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. All pending motions and applications are DENIED and stays VACATED.