Background
Lucy Tantoh Taku, a native and citizen of Cameroon, petitioned for review of an order from the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissing her appeal from an immigration judge decision denying her applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed both the immigration judge decision and the Board order together. The court found that the immigration judge provided numerous cogent reasons to support an adverse credibility determination. The record supported the finding that Taku’s testimony was not credible. Taku failed to independently verify her claims of past or future persecution. Regarding her claim for protection under the Convention Against Torture, the court noted that an immigration judge cannot find an applicant and her documents incredible for one purpose and rely on them for another. Taku failed to satisfy the requirements set forth in the applicable legal test for ineffective assistance of counsel.
What it means going forward
Immigration order stands; petitioner remains subject to removal.