Opinions of the United
2009 Decisions                                                                                                             States Court of Appeals
                                                                                                                              for the Third Circuit


2-4-2009

Sandjojo v. Atty Gen USA
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential

Docket No. 07-3853




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                                                                NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                       UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                            FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                 ___________

                                     No. 07-3853
                                     ___________

                              GOENAWAN SANDJOJO,
                                              Petitioner

                                           v.

                 ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES,
                                                  Respondent

                      ____________________________________

                       On Petition for Review of an Order of the
                            Board of Immigration Appeals
                             (Agency No. A96-203-342)
                     Immigration Judge: Honorable Robert Owens
                      ____________________________________

                    Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                   January 28, 2009

            Before: SLOVITER, STAPLETON and COWEN, Circuit Judges

                            (Opinion filed: February 4, 2009)
                                     ___________

                                      OPINION
                                     ___________

PER CURIAM

      Goenawan Sandjojo petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration

Appeals (BIA). For the reasons below, we will deny the petition for review.
       Sandjojo was admitted to the United States in May 2001 as a visitor. In April

2003, he was charged as removable for overstaying his admission period. Sandjojo

conceded removability and applied for withholding of removal and relief under the

Convention Against Torture. He argued that he had suffered and would suffer

persecution in Indonesia on account of his Chinese ethnicity and his Christian religion.

After the IJ denied relief, the BIA dismissed the appeal. Sandjojo filed a timely petition

for review.

       We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. In his brief, Sandjojo only argues

that he is entitled to withholding of removal. To be eligible for withholding of removal,

Sandjojo must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that his life would be threatened

in Indonesia on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social

group, or political opinion. Tarrawally v. Ashcroft, 

, 186 (3d Cir. 2003); 8

U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(A). We may reverse the BIA’s decision only if the record permits

but one reasonable conclusion which was not the one reached by the Board. I.N.S. v.

Elias-Zacarias, 

, 481 (1992).

       Sandjojo argues that he suffered past persecution on account of his Chinese

ethnicity and his Christian religion when he was (1) threatened by an army officer with a

gun for being too loud; (2) severely mistreated at school; (3) threatened by an army

officer while at work; (4) forced to change religion in order to marry a native Indonesian;

and (5) extorted by native Indonesians. We conclude that Sandjojo has not shown that the



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record compels a finding that he suffered past persecution on account of his ethnicity or

religion.

       Sandjojo also argues that there is a pattern or practice of persecution against

Chinese Christians in Indonesia. We have held that in order to constitute a “pattern or

practice,” the persecution of a group must be “systemic, pervasive, or organized.” Lie v.

Ashcroft, 

, 537 (3d Cir. 2005). In Wong v. Attorney General, 

(3d Cir. 2008), we held that the 2003 and 2004 Country Reports did not demonstrate a

pattern or practice of persecution against Chinese Christians. We noted that the 2005 and

2006 Country Reports documented improved treatment of Chinese Christians in

Indonesia. 

. Here, Sandjojo refers to the 2005 Country Report.

He concedes that the report notes a reduction in inter-religious violence and a government

initiative to prosecute extremists.

       We conclude that Sandjojo has not shown that the record compels a finding that

his life would be threatened if removed to Indonesia so as to entitle him to withholding of

removal. Tarrawally v. Ashcroft, 

, 186 (3d Cir. 2003). Accordingly, we will

deny the petition for review. Counsel’s motion to withdraw is granted and the motion for

an extension of time is denied.




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