SINGH v. GARLAND (2021)

MEMORANDUM **

Narinderjit Singh, a native and citizen of India, seeks review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order denying his motion to reopen removal proceedings. We review the denial of a motion to reopen for abuse of discretion. Yeghiazaryan v. Gonzales, 439 F.3d 994, 998 (9th Cir. 2006). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252, and we deny the petition for review.

The BIA acted within its discretion in concluding that Singh failed to demonstrate that any change in country conditions was material to his particular circumstances. See Toufighi v. Mukasey, 538 F.3d 988, 996 (9th Cir. 2008). Although the documents submitted establish that Sikhs (who are actively engaged or suspected of militant, terrorist, or violent activities) may be subjected to persecution or torture, there was no new evidence submitted that was material to Singh's situation—a former member of the All India Sikh Students Federation who has not been in India for 25 years and who does not support the establishment of a separate Khalistan by violence. The record does not support Singh's claim that he would be persecuted or tortured because of his prior activities or an imputed political opinion.¹ Nor is there any evidence that Indian authorities have any interest in him. Accordingly, Singh has not shown that the BIA's decision was “arbitrary, irrational, or contrary to law.” He v. Gonzales, 501 F.3d 1128, 1131 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting Singh v. INS, 295 F.3d 1037, 1039 (9th Cir. 2002)).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

FOOTNOTES

1.   We reject Singh's argument that the BIA did not consider Singh's claim for relief under the Convention Against Torture when it denied the motion to reopen. The BIA concluded that Singh's evidence did not establish that he would be “arrested or otherwise harmed” (which would include being tortured), if he returned to India.