The Fourth Circuit has denied a petition for review from a Jordanian citizen who sought asylum, humanitarian asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture after being found removable based on a Virginia fraud conviction. The Immigration Judge found his testimony about being sexually assaulted credible but denied all relief, and the Board affirmed.
On asylum and withholding, the court held that substantial evidence supported the Board's finding that the assailant targeted the petitioner because of his youth, low self-esteem, and poor economic status, not because he perceived him as gay. While multiple motives can coexist, the record did not compel a different conclusion, and his fear of future persecution by unidentified people in Jordan was speculative. On CAT, the court held the agency adequately weighed the past abuse, the lack of harm since 2011, and the relocation evidence, and rejected the argument that past abuse alone entitles a non-citizen to CAT protection.
The full text of Qaiymah v. Blanche can be found here: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/241099.P.pdf