Background
Lourdes Lizeth Cruz-Altamirano, a native and citizen of Honduras, sought asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The immigration judge denied her application in March two thousand nineteen, and the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld that denial in February two thousand twenty-five based on an adverse credibility determination and lack of evidence.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed the agency’s findings for substantial evidence, noting that factual findings are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude otherwise. The court found that the agency provided specific, cogent reasons for the adverse credibility determination, including omissions and inconsistent statements. The court concluded that the evidence did not compel a ruling contrary to the administrative findings and that substantial evidence supported the denial of relief.
What it means going forward
The denial of the petition for review leaves in place the Board of Immigration Appeals order denying Cruz-Altamirano’s claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.