NONPRECEDENTIALȱDISPOSITION ToȱbeȱcitedȱonlyȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱFed.ȱR.ȱApp.ȱP.ȱ32.1ȱ United States Court of Appeals ForȱtheȱSeventhȱCircuitȱ Chicago,ȱIllinoisȱ60604ȱ ȱ ArguedȱAprilȱ18,ȱ2016ȱ DecidedȱSeptemberȱ27,ȱ2016ȱ ȱ Beforeȱ ȱ FRANKȱH.ȱEASTERBROOK,ȱCircuitȱJudge ȱ DIANEȱS.ȱSYKES,ȱCircuitȱJudgeȱ ȱ LYNNȱS.ȱADELMAN,ȱDistrictȱJudge*ȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ MILKIYASȱAMBA,ȱ ȱ PetitionȱforȱReviewȱofȱanȱOrderȱofȱtheȱ ȱ Petitioner,ȱ BoardȱofȱImmigrationȱAppeals.ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ v.ȱ No.ȱA089Ȭ318Ȭ722ȱ ȱ LORETTAȱE.ȱLYNCH,ȱ AttorneyȱGeneralȱofȱtheȱUnitedȱStates,ȱ ȱ Respondent.ȱ ȱ OȱRȱDȱEȱRȱ ȱ MilkiyasȱAmba,ȱaȱ58ȬyearȬoldȱnativeȱandȱcitizenȱofȱEthiopia,ȱenteredȱtheȱUnitedȱ StatesȱonȱaȱnonimmigrantȱvisitorȱvisaȱonȱSeptemberȱ7,ȱ2009.ȱTwoȱweeksȱlaterȱheȱappliedȱ forȱasylum,ȱwithholdingȱofȱremoval,ȱandȱprotectionȱunderȱtheȱConventionȱAgainstȱ Tortureȱ(“CAT”).ȱAnȱasylumȱofficerȱinterviewedȱhimȱandȱreferredȱhisȱapplicationȱtoȱanȱ immigrationȱjudge.ȱAmbaȱthereafterȱoverstayedȱhisȱvisa,ȱtriggeringȱremovalȱ proceedings.ȱAmbaȱconcededȱremovabilityȱbutȱrenewedȱhisȱrequestsȱforȱasylum,ȱ withholding,ȱandȱCATȱprotection.ȱAnȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱdeniedȱtheseȱclaimsȱforȱrelief,ȱ findingȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱinsufficientlyȱpersuasiveȱandȱlackingȱnecessaryȱcorroboration.ȱ Alternatively,ȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱfoundȱthatȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱdidȱnotȱdemonstrateȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ *OfȱtheȱEasternȱDistrictȱofȱWisconsin,ȱsittingȱbyȱdesignation.ȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ2ȱ ȱ thatȱheȱhadȱsufferedȱpersecutionȱorȱreasonablyȱfearedȱpersecutionȱifȱforcedȱtoȱreturnȱtoȱ Ethiopia.ȱTheȱBoardȱofȱImmigrationȱAppealsȱ(“BIA”)ȱaffirmedȱandȱorderedȱAmbaȱ removed,ȱandȱheȱnowȱseeksȱreviewȱofȱtheȱagency’sȱdecision.ȱWeȱdenyȱtheȱpetitionȱforȱ review.ȱ I.ȱBackgroundȱ AmbaȱgrewȱupȱinȱWolaytaȱSodo,ȱinȱsouthernȱEthiopia,ȱbutȱhasȱlivedȱinȱAddisȱ Ababa,ȱtheȱnation’sȱcapital,ȱsinceȱtheȱearlyȱ1990s.ȱHeȱisȱmarriedȱwithȱfiveȱchildren,ȱandȱ hisȱfamilyȱremainsȱinȱEthiopia.ȱTheȱfactualȱbackdropȱforȱhisȱpersecutionȱclaimȱbeginsȱ withȱhisȱdecisionȱinȱ1977ȱtoȱenlistȱinȱtheȱEthiopianȱmilitary.ȱThreeȱyearsȱearlierȱtheȱ Ethiopianȱgovernmentȱwasȱoverthrownȱbyȱaȱcommunistȱmilitaryȱjuntaȱknownȱasȱ“theȱ Derg.”ȱWhenȱAmbaȱenlistedȱinȱtheȱDergȱmilitary,ȱtheȱjuntaȱwasȱattemptingȱtoȱpacifyȱaȱ rebellionȱinȱpartsȱofȱpresentȬdayȱEritrea,ȱwhichȱwasȱthenȱformallyȱEthiopianȱterritory.ȱ Inȱhisȱtestimonyȱbeforeȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudge,ȱAmbaȱgaveȱtheȱfollowingȱaccountȱ ofȱhisȱserviceȱinȱtheȱDergȱmilitaryȱandȱhisȱreturnȱtoȱcivilianȱlife.ȱHeȱwasȱinitiallyȱstationedȱ inȱanȱartilleryȱbatteryȱinȱBarentu,ȱanȱareaȱthatȱsawȱintenseȱfightingȱbetweenȱtheȱDergȱ militaryȱandȱEritreanȱrebelȱforces.ȱInȱJulyȱ1978ȱheȱwasȱbrieflyȱtransferredȱfromȱhisȱ artilleryȱpostȱtoȱworkȱasȱaȱtranslatorȱbetweenȱSovietȱmilitaryȱadvisorsȱandȱtheȱDergȱ military,ȱbutȱafterȱaboutȱaȱmonth,ȱheȱreturnedȱtoȱBarentuȱtoȱhelpȱarrangeȱcivilianȱairȱ transportȱintoȱandȱoutȱofȱtheȱwarȱzone.ȱAmbaȱservedȱthereȱforȱaȱlittleȱlessȱthanȱaȱyearȱ beforeȱtravelingȱtoȱthenȬSovietȱUkraineȱforȱtrainingȱinȱ“psychologyȱandȱmilitaryȱ pedagogy.”ȱWhenȱheȱfinishedȱthisȱtraining,ȱheȱwasȱassignedȱaȱ“politicalȱguidanceȱ position”ȱteachingȱhistory,ȱphilosophy,ȱandȱdisciplineȱtoȱEthiopianȱsoldiers.ȱ AmbaȱservedȱinȱtheȱDergȱmilitaryȱuntilȱ1991ȱwhenȱtheȱjuntaȱwasȱovertakenȱ byȱtheȱEthiopianȱPeople’sȱRevolutionaryȱDemocraticȱFront.ȱAtȱthatȱpointȱAmbaȱ defectedȱfromȱtheȱmilitaryȱandȱreturnedȱtoȱhisȱhometownȱinȱsouthernȱEthiopia.ȱ Heȱwasȱthereafterȱinstructedȱtoȱreportȱtoȱtheȱnewȱregime.ȱTheȱfirstȱtimeȱheȱdidȱsoȱ heȱwasȱsimplyȱaskedȱtoȱturnȱoverȱhisȱgun,ȱbutȱtheȱsecondȱtimeȱheȱwasȱarrestedȱ andȱimprisonedȱalongȱwithȱothersȱwhoȱservedȱinȱtheȱDergȱmilitary.ȱHeȱbailedȱoutȱ 15ȱdaysȱlater,ȱbutȱspentȱjustȱtwoȱdaysȱwithȱhisȱfamilyȱbeforeȱheȱwasȱagainȱarrestedȱ andȱtakenȱtoȱaȱwindowlessȱwarehouseȱthatȱwasȱusedȱtoȱincarcerateȱaboutȱ 500ȱotherȱprisoners.ȱHeȱwasȱkeptȱthereȱforȱfiveȱmonths.ȱConditionsȱwereȱ unsanitary,ȱandȱnoȱmedicalȱtreatmentȱwasȱavailableȱforȱtheȱprisoners,ȱwhoȱ receivedȱonlyȱmalariaȱtabletsȱandȱtwoȱmealsȱaȱdayȱprovidedȱbyȱtheȱRedȱCross.ȱHisȱ confinementȱwasȱpunctuatedȱwithȱthreatsȱfromȱtheȱguards,ȱwhoȱregularlyȱmadeȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ3ȱ ȱ theȱprisonersȱsitȱoutsideȱinȱtheȱpunishingȱsunȱforȱextendedȱperiodsȱofȱtime.ȱApartȱ fromȱtheseȱpoorȱconditions,ȱhowever,ȱAmbaȱwasȱnotȱphysicallyȱharmed.ȱ ByȱtheȱtimeȱAmbaȱwasȱreleased,ȱheȱwasȱ“very,ȱveryȱsick”ȱfromȱtheȱ unsanitaryȱconditionsȱinȱtheȱwarehouse.ȱHeȱreturnedȱtoȱhisȱfamilyȱhomeȱinȱ southernȱEthiopia,ȱrecuperatedȱthere,ȱandȱthenȱmovedȱtoȱAddisȱAbabaȱtoȱlookȱforȱ work.ȱHeȱfirstȱfoundȱaȱjobȱteachingȱlanguageȱcoursesȱtoȱAmericansȱandȱaȱfewȱ yearsȱlaterȱwasȱhiredȱasȱanȱassistantȱadministratorȱatȱaȱhospitalȱlargelyȱfundedȱbyȱ American,ȱBritish,ȱandȱAustralianȱdonors.ȱInȱ2007ȱAmbaȱleftȱhisȱjobȱatȱtheȱhospitalȱ toȱworkȱforȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices,ȱanȱinternationalȱChristianȱaidȱ organizationȱthatȱneededȱEthiopiansȱtoȱformȱtheȱlocalȱbranchȱofȱtheȱorganizationȱ becauseȱtheȱgovernmentȱwouldȱnotȱpermitȱforeignersȱtoȱdoȱso.ȱAsȱtheȱ organization’sȱcountryȱdirector,ȱheȱmanagedȱtheȱEthiopianȱoperations,ȱwhichȱ includedȱworkingȱwithȱAmericanȱvisitorsȱandȱfosterȱparents.ȱInȱ2008ȱBethanyȱ ChristianȱServicesȱflewȱhimȱtoȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱforȱjobȱtraining.ȱ AmbaȱalsoȱspentȱsomeȱofȱhisȱtimeȱinȱAddisȱAbabaȱvolunteeringȱwithȱAfricaȱ PeaceȱandȱConflictȱManagement,ȱaȱnowȬdefunctȱorganizationȱthatȱworkedȱtoȱ resolveȱconflictsȱinȱEthiopia’sȱborderȱregions.ȱAfricaȱPeaceȱwasȱledȱbyȱBogaleȱ Ashango,ȱaȱchildhoodȱclassmateȱofȱAmba’s,ȱandȱwasȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱharassmentȱbyȱ theȱEthiopianȱgovernment.ȱAmbaȱbeganȱhisȱinvolvementȱwithȱAfricaȱPeaceȱinȱ 2004.ȱHeȱtestifiedȱthatȱinȱ2005ȱAshangoȱtoldȱhimȱthatȱsecurityȱagentsȱforȱtheȱ Ethiopianȱgovernmentȱbrokeȱintoȱhisȱ(Ashango’s)ȱofficeȱtoȱthreatenȱhimȱandȱ confiscateȱhisȱdocuments.ȱ AmbaȱtestifiedȱthatȱinȱearlyȱJuneȱ2009,ȱheȱwasȱtheȱvictimȱofȱsimilarȱ harassment.ȱTwoȱmenȱwhoȱappearedȱtoȱbeȱsoldiersȱinȱtheȱEthiopianȱarmyȱforciblyȱ enteredȱhisȱofficeȱatȱBethanyȱChristianȱServicesȱandȱaccusedȱhimȱofȱconspiringȱ againstȱtheȱEthiopianȱgovernment.ȱTheyȱthreatenedȱtoȱharmȱhimȱifȱheȱrefusedȱtoȱ stopȱopposingȱtheȱregimeȱandȱwarnedȱhimȱnotȱtoȱtellȱanyoneȱaboutȱtheȱincident.ȱ Thisȱthreatȱoccurredȱduringȱtheȱelectionȱseasonȱwhenȱsecurityȱforcesȱwereȱ attackingȱpeopleȱsuspectedȱofȱopposingȱtheȱregime.ȱAmbaȱtestifiedȱthatȱheȱ thoughtȱtheȱgovernmentȱtargetedȱhimȱbecauseȱhisȱworkȱinvolvedȱinteractingȱwithȱ manyȱforeignersȱandȱbecauseȱofȱhisȱ2008ȱtravelȱtoȱtheȱUnitedȱStates.ȱAmbaȱtoldȱ threeȱotherȱpeopleȱaboutȱthisȱincident:ȱhisȱwife,ȱhisȱfriendȱAshango,ȱandȱaȱ coworkerȱnamedȱSisayȱKassaye.ȱHeȱtestifiedȱthatȱKassayeȱadvisedȱhimȱtoȱfleeȱtheȱ country.ȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ4ȱ ȱ AmbaȱsaidȱthatȱheȱthenȱtookȱaȱmonthȬlongȱbreakȱfromȱhisȱjobȱwithȱBethanyȱ ChristianȱServicesȱandȱformallyȱquitȱtheȱorganizationȱinȱJulyȱ2009.ȱHeȱdepartedȱ forȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱinȱSeptemberȱ2009ȱusingȱtheȱunexpiredȱvisaȱheȱhadȱobtainedȱ forȱhisȱearlierȱtripȱwithȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices.ȱ ȱ TheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱfoundȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱgenerallyȱcredibleȱbutȱ notedȱaȱhandfulȱofȱinconsistenciesȱbetweenȱitȱandȱearlierȱstatementsȱAmbaȱhadȱ givenȱtoȱtheȱasylumȱofficer.ȱFirst,ȱAmbaȱtoldȱtheȱasylumȱofficerȱthatȱheȱhadȱ witnessedȱciviliansȱbeingȱharmedȱbyȱtheȱmilitaryȱwhileȱheȱwasȱstationedȱinȱ Barentu.ȱInȱhisȱtestimonyȱbeforeȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudge,ȱheȱdeniedȱseeingȱanyȱ civilianȱcasualtiesȱwhileȱstationedȱinȱBarentu.ȱSecond,ȱAmba’sȱrésuméȱstatesȱthatȱ heȱworkedȱatȱBethanyȱChristianȱServicesȱuntilȱSeptemberȱ2009.ȱHeȱtoldȱtheȱ asylumȱofficerȱaȱdifferentȱstory:ȱHeȱsaidȱthatȱafterȱtheȱJuneȱ2009ȱbreakȬin,ȱheȱlivedȱ atȱhomeȱandȱwentȱtoȱworkȱatȱtheȱofficeȱinȱtheȱevening.ȱNeitherȱversionȱisȱ consistentȱwithȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱatȱtheȱremovalȱhearing.ȱHeȱtoldȱtheȱ immigrationȱjudgeȱthatȱheȱtookȱaȱmonthȬlongȱleaveȱfromȱBethanyȱChristianȱ ServicesȱafterȱtheȱJuneȱbreakȬinȱandȱformallyȱquitȱtheȱorganizationȱinȱJulyȱ2009.ȱ ȱ Third,ȱAmbaȱtoldȱtheȱasylumȱofficerȱthatȱheȱhadȱlastȱspokenȱwithȱhisȱ childrenȱaȱmonthȱbeforeȱtheȱasylumȱinterview.ȱWhenȱaskedȱwhyȱheȱhadn’tȱbeenȱ inȱcontactȱwithȱthemȱsinceȱthen,ȱAmbaȱsaidȱheȱfeltȱlikeȱheȱ“shouldȱgetȱacquaintedȱ here—itȱisȱfinanciallyȱexpensiveȱtoȱcallȱthem.”ȱButȱatȱtheȱhearingȱAmbaȱgaveȱaȱ differentȱexplanationȱforȱhisȱlackȱofȱcommunicationȱwithȱhisȱfamilyȱandȱfriendsȱ backȱhome.ȱWhenȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱaskedȱifȱAmbaȱhadȱeverȱattemptedȱtoȱ obtainȱcorroboratingȱevidenceȱfromȱhisȱwife,ȱhisȱfriendsȱAshangoȱorȱKassaye,ȱorȱ anyoneȱelseȱinȱEthiopia,ȱAmbaȱrepliedȱthatȱheȱthoughtȱhisȱwrittenȱandȱtelephonicȱ communicationȱcouldȱbeȱmonitoredȱbyȱtheȱEthiopianȱgovernmentȱandȱthatȱtheȱ governmentȱwouldȱpunishȱanyoneȱitȱthoughtȱwasȱhelpingȱhim.ȱ Theȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱconcludedȱthatȱinȱtheȱaggregateȱtheseȱ inconsistenciesȱreducedȱanyȱpersuasivenessȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱmightȱotherwiseȱ haveȱhad.ȱAsȱpermittedȱbyȱtheȱREALȱIDȱActȱofȱ2005,ȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱ requiredȱAmbaȱtoȱprovideȱcorroboration.ȱ Ambaȱsubmittedȱseveralȱitemsȱofȱevidenceȱinȱanȱattemptȱtoȱcorroborateȱhisȱ story,ȱincludingȱaȱpsychologicalȱassessment,ȱseveralȱcountryȬconditionsȱreports,ȱ expertȱtestimonyȱaboutȱconditionsȱinȱEthiopia,ȱvariousȱdocumentsȱandȱ photographsȱfromȱAfricaȱPeaceȱandȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices,ȱandȱaȱstatementȱ fromȱhisȱroommateȱinȱtheȱUnitedȱStates.ȱThisȱprofferedȱcorroborationȱwasȱhighlyȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ5ȱ ȱ generalizedȱandȱdidȱnotȱdirectlyȱsupportȱAmba’sȱtestimonyȱaboutȱhisȱ1991ȱ detentionȱorȱtheȱ2009ȱbreakȬinȱatȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices.ȱForȱexample,ȱtheȱ psychologicalȱassessmentȱgenerallyȱsuggestedȱthatȱAmbaȱisȱ“experiencingȱ symptoms”ȱthatȱ“meetȱtheȱdiagnosticȱcriteriaȱforȱPTSD.”ȱTheȱcountryȬconditionsȱ reportsȱdescribeȱtheȱEthiopianȱgovernment’sȱpracticeȱofȱsurveillingȱandȱ persecutingȱsuspectedȱdissidentsȱandȱalsoȱhighlightȱaȱ2009ȱlawȱgivingȱtheȱ Ethiopianȱgovernmentȱbroadȱpowerȱoverȱtheȱmanagementȱandȱoperationsȱofȱ nonȬgovernmentalȱorganizationsȱ(“NGOs”).ȱTheȱexpertȱwitness—Dr.ȱDonaldȱ Levine,ȱaȱprofessorȱemeritusȱatȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱChicago—testifiedȱthatȱtheȱ2009ȱ NGOȱlawȱwasȱconsistentȱwithȱtheȱEthiopianȱgovernment’sȱgeneralȱhostilityȱtoȱ NGOs,ȱespeciallyȱconflictȬresolutionȱorganizations.ȱDr.ȱLevineȱexplainedȱthatȱ NGOsȱcontrolledȱbyȱforeignersȱareȱparticularlyȱsuspectȱbecauseȱtheȱgovernmentȱ believesȱ“outsideȱpowers”ȱwereȱresponsibleȱforȱstirringȱupȱdissidentsȱduringȱtheȱ 2005ȱelection.ȱHeȱalsoȱsaidȱthatȱtoȱtampȱdownȱdissent,ȱtheȱgovernmentȱconductsȱ surveillanceȱandȱharassmentȱ“onȱallȱfronts.”ȱButȱheȱhadȱnoȱspecificȱknowledgeȱofȱ AfricaȱPeaceȱorȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices.ȱLikewise,ȱnoneȱofȱtheȱotherȱprofferedȱ corroborationȱdirectlyȱsupportedȱAmba’sȱstory.ȱ ȱ Theȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱfoundȱthatȱthisȱadditionalȱevidenceȱwasȱinsufficientȱ toȱcorroborateȱAmba’sȱstoryȱaboutȱhisȱ1991ȱdetentionȱandȱtheȱ2009ȱbreakȬinȱatȱ BethanyȱChristianȱServices,ȱwhichȱwereȱtheȱcrucialȱaspectsȱofȱhisȱclaim.ȱTheȱjudgeȱ notedȱthatȱAmbaȱhadȱnotȱevenȱtriedȱtoȱobtainȱcorroborationȱfromȱanyȱofȱtheȱ peopleȱwithȱknowledgeȱofȱeitherȱorȱbothȱincidents—hisȱwife,ȱforȱexample,ȱorȱ AshangoȱorȱKassaye—andȱfailedȱtoȱsubstantiateȱhisȱassertionȱthatȱtheȱEthiopianȱ governmentȱwouldȱinterceptȱanyȱattemptȱatȱcommunicationȱheȱmightȱmake.ȱ Alternatively,ȱtheȱjudgeȱheldȱthatȱevenȱifȱheȱacceptedȱtheȱcorroborationȱandȱ creditedȱAmba’sȱstory,ȱtheȱ1991ȱdetentionȱandȱtheȱ2009ȱbreakȬinȱdidȱnotȱamountȱ toȱpastȱpersecution.ȱAlthoughȱtheȱconditionsȱinȱtheȱdetentionȱfacilityȱwereȱ wretched,ȱAmbaȱwasȱneverȱphysicallyȱabused.ȱAndȱtheȱ2009ȱbreakȬin,ȱtheȱ immigrationȱjudgeȱheld,ȱwasȱanȱisolatedȱincidentȱofȱharassment—unnerving,ȱtoȱ beȱsure,ȱbutȱnotȱanȱimmediateȱorȱparticularlyȱmenacingȱthreat.ȱ Forȱtheȱsameȱreasons,ȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱconcludedȱthatȱAmbaȱfailedȱ toȱcarryȱhisȱburdenȱofȱestablishingȱaȱreasonableȱpossibilityȱofȱfutureȱpersecution.ȱ TheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱaccordinglyȱrejectedȱAmba’sȱasylumȱclaimȱandȱalsoȱ deniedȱwithholdingȱofȱremovalȱandȱreliefȱunderȱtheȱCAT,ȱbothȱofȱwhichȱareȱ governedȱbyȱaȱmoreȱstringentȱlegalȱstandard.ȱTheȱBIAȱaffirmedȱonȱallȱgrounds.ȱ Ambaȱnowȱseeksȱreviewȱinȱthisȱcourt.ȱ ȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ6ȱ ȱ II.ȱDiscussionȱ Toȱbeȱeligibleȱforȱasylum,ȱanȱapplicantȱmustȱestablishȱthatȱheȱisȱaȱ“refugee,”ȱwhichȱ theȱlawȱdefinesȱasȱsomeoneȱwhoȱisȱunableȱorȱunwillingȱtoȱreturnȱtoȱhisȱhomeȱcountryȱ “becauseȱofȱpersecutionȱorȱaȱwellȬfoundedȱfearȱofȱpersecutionȱonȱaccountȱofȱrace,ȱ religion,ȱnationality,ȱmembershipȱinȱaȱparticularȱsocialȱgroup,ȱorȱpoliticalȱopinion.”ȱ 8ȱU.S.C.ȱ§§ȱ1101(42)(A)ȱ(definingȱrefugee),ȱ1158(b).ȱTheȱREALȱIDȱActȱofȱ2005ȱpermitsȱanȱ applicantȱtoȱrelyȱsolelyȱonȱhisȱownȱtestimonyȱprovidedȱthatȱheȱ“satisfiesȱtheȱtrierȱofȱfactȱ thatȱ[his]ȱtestimonyȱisȱcredible,ȱisȱpersuasive,ȱandȱrefersȱtoȱspecificȱfactsȱsufficientȱtoȱ demonstrateȱthatȱ[he]ȱisȱaȱrefugee.”ȱId.ȱ§ȱ1158(b)(1)(B)(ii).ȱButȱ“[w]hereȱtheȱtrierȱofȱfactȱ determinesȱthatȱtheȱapplicantȱshouldȱprovideȱevidenceȱthatȱcorroboratesȱotherwiseȱ credibleȱtestimony,ȱsuchȱevidenceȱmustȱbeȱprovidedȱunlessȱtheȱapplicantȱdoesȱnotȱhaveȱ theȱevidenceȱandȱcannotȱreasonablyȱobtainȱtheȱevidence.”ȱId.ȱThisȱprovisionȱgivesȱ immigrationȱjudgesȱ“substantialȱleewayȱtoȱdemandȱcorroborationȱofȱanȱasylumȱ applicant’sȱallegationsȱwhetherȱorȱnotȱtheȱjudgeȱfindsȱtheȱapplicantȱcredible.”ȱ Krishnapillaiȱv.ȱHolder,ȱ563ȱF.3dȱ606,ȱ618ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2009).ȱIfȱanȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱordersȱanȱ applicantȱtoȱproduceȱcorroboratingȱevidenceȱbutȱtheȱapplicantȱfailsȱtoȱdoȱso—andȱfailsȱtoȱ explainȱwhyȱtheȱrequestedȱevidenceȱisȱnotȱreasonablyȱavailable—theȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱ mayȱproperlyȱdenyȱtheȱapplication.1ȱ Id.ȱ Weȱreviewȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudge’sȱconclusions,ȱasȱsupplementedȱbyȱtheȱBIA’sȱ opinion,ȱunderȱtheȱ“substantialȱevidence”ȱstandard.ȱRaghunathanȱv.ȱHolder,ȱ604ȱF.3dȱ371,ȱ 379–80ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2010)ȱ(rejectingȱpetitioners’ȱargumentsȱthatȱtheȱdocumentsȱtheyȱ submittedȱsatisfiedȱtheȱcorroborationȱrequirementȱandȱtheirȱcontentionȱthatȱtheyȱ providedȱsufficientȱexplanationsȱforȱtheirȱinabilityȱtoȱproduceȱcorroboration).ȱThisȱ standardȱisȱ“highlyȱdeferential,”ȱandȱweȱ“willȱnotȱgrantȱtheȱpetitionȱforȱreviewȱunlessȱ theȱpetitionerȱshowsȱthatȱtheȱevidenceȱnotȱonlyȱsupportsȱreversalȱofȱtheȱBIA’sȱdecision,ȱ butȱcompelsȱit.”ȱLiuȱv.ȱAshcroft,ȱ380ȱF.3dȱ307,ȱ312ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2004)ȱ(internalȱquotationȱmarks,ȱ brackets,ȱandȱcitationȱomitted).ȱTheȱagency’sȱdecisionȱhereȱeasilyȱclearsȱthisȱbar.ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ Thisȱstandardȱappliesȱwithȱequalȱforceȱtoȱapplicationsȱforȱwithholdingȱofȱremovalȱandȱ 1 protectionȱunderȱtheȱConventionȱAgainstȱTorture.ȱSeeȱ8ȱU.S.C.ȱ§§ȱ1158(b)(1)(B)(ii)ȱ(asylumȱ applications),ȱ1229a(c)(4)(B)ȱ(applicationsȱforȱprotectionȱfromȱremoval),ȱ1231(b)(3)(C)ȱ (withholdingȱofȱremoval).ȱAmba’sȱfailureȱtoȱprovideȱcorroborationȱdefeatsȱhisȱasylumȱclaimȱandȱ necessarilyȱdoomsȱhisȱapplicationsȱforȱwithholdingȱofȱremovalȱandȱprotectionȱunderȱtheȱCATȱasȱ well.ȱSeeȱHaichunȱLiuȱv.ȱHolder,ȱ692ȱF.3dȱ848,ȱ854ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2012);ȱseeȱalsoȱMusollariȱv.ȱMukasey,ȱ 545ȱF.3dȱ505,ȱ508ȱn.2ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2008).ȱ No.ȱ15Ȭ3747ȱ ȱ Pageȱ7ȱ ȱ TheȱBIAȱagreedȱwithȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱthatȱAmba’sȱprofferedȱcorroborationȱ wasȱtooȱgeneralȱandȱfailedȱtoȱspecificallyȱsupportȱhisȱtestimonyȱregardingȱhisȱ1991ȱ imprisonmentȱandȱtheȱ2009ȱbreakȬinȱatȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices.ȱTheȱBIAȱalsoȱagreedȱ withȱtheȱimmigrationȱjudge’sȱconclusionȱthatȱaffidavitsȱfromȱpeopleȱwhoȱmightȱbeȱ expectedȱtoȱprovideȱdirectȱcorroboration—Amba’sȱwife,ȱAshango,ȱKassaye,ȱorȱotherȱ friendsȱorȱcolleagues—wereȱreasonablyȱavailable.ȱ Theȱrecordȱdoesn’tȱcompelȱaȱcontraryȱconclusion.ȱDr.ȱLevine’sȱtestimonyȱandȱtheȱ countryȱreportsȱAmbaȱprovidedȱindicateȱthatȱEthiopia’sȱcurrentȱgovernmentȱsurveilsȱ suspectedȱdissentersȱandȱpersecutesȱperceivedȱopponentsȱofȱtheȱregime.ȱThisȱevidenceȱ makesȱAmba’sȱaccountȱsomewhatȱmoreȱplausible,ȱbutȱit’sȱtooȱgeneralizedȱtoȱcompelȱtheȱ conclusionȱthatȱAmbaȱwasȱindeedȱimprisonedȱinȱ1991ȱinȱdeplorableȱconditionsȱorȱthatȱheȱ wasȱtheȱvictimȱofȱharassmentȱbyȱsecurityȱofficersȱinȱ2009.ȱIndeed,ȱasȱtheȱimmigrationȱ judgeȱnoted,ȱAmba’sȱwife,ȱwhoȱalsoȱworkedȱforȱBethanyȱChristianȱServices,ȱwasȱneverȱ targetedȱforȱharassment,ȱeitherȱthenȱorȱsince.ȱ Ambaȱneededȱmoreȱspecificȱcorroboration—theȱkindȱofȱevidenceȱthatȱreasonablyȱ mightȱbeȱexpectedȱtoȱcomeȱfromȱhisȱrelativesȱandȱcoworkers.ȱTheȱonlyȱexplanationȱ Ambaȱofferedȱforȱhisȱfailureȱtoȱobtainȱthisȱevidenceȱisȱaȱvagueȱconcernȱaboutȱ governmentȱsurveillance.ȱTheȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱwasȱentitledȱtoȱrejectȱthisȱexplanation,ȱ especiallyȱgivenȱtheȱstatementsȱAmbaȱmadeȱtoȱtheȱasylumȱofficerȱattributingȱhisȱlackȱofȱ communicationȱtoȱtheȱhighȱcostȱofȱcallingȱhome.ȱThisȱcaseȱisȱnotȱcomparableȱtoȱthoseȱinȱ whichȱanȱimmigrationȱjudgeȱimpermissiblyȱfaultsȱanȱasylumȱapplicantȱforȱfailingȱtoȱ gatherȱcorroboratingȱdocumentaryȱevidenceȱwhileȱfleeingȱimminentȱdanger.ȱSee,ȱe.g.,ȱQiuȱ YunȱChenȱv.ȱHolder,ȱ715ȱF.3dȱ207,ȱ212ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2013).ȱMoreȱtoȱtheȱpointȱhere,ȱweȱregularlyȱ affirmȱdecisionsȱrequiringȱcorroboratingȱaffidavitsȱfromȱfamilyȱmembersȱorȱcolleagues.ȱ See,ȱe.g.,ȱHaichunȱLiuȱv.ȱHolder,ȱ692ȱF.3dȱ848,ȱ850ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2012)ȱ(affirmingȱanȱimmigrationȱ judge’sȱdecisionȱtoȱrequireȱtheȱapplicantȱtoȱprovideȱaffidavitsȱfromȱotherȱcoworkersȱwhoȱ demonstratedȱatȱaȱprotestȱthatȱoccurredȱtenȱyearsȱbeforeȱremovalȱproceedingsȱbegan).ȱ Theȱimmigrationȱjudge’sȱdeterminationȱthatȱmoreȱspecificȱcorroborationȱwasȱbothȱ requiredȱandȱreasonablyȱavailableȱisȱwellȱsupportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱrecordȱevidence.ȱ Thatȱaloneȱisȱenoughȱtoȱdenyȱtheȱpetitionȱforȱreview.ȱWeȱnoteȱforȱcompletenessȱ thatȱtheȱagency’sȱalternativeȱfindings—thatȱAmba’sȱstory,ȱevenȱifȱtrue,ȱdidȱnotȱestablishȱ pastȱpersecutionȱorȱanȱobjectivelyȱreasonableȱfearȱofȱfutureȱpersecution—areȱalsoȱwellȱ supportedȱbyȱsubstantialȱevidence.ȱ PETITIONȱFORȱREVIEWȱDENIED.ȱ