The Ninth Circuit has articulated certain standards for reviewing the agency’s determination that testimony is implausible. To begin, while an IJ must cite contrary evidence in the record, an implausibility finding still hinges on the application of common sense. As such, no express contradiction between testimony and other record evidence is required. In addition, an IJ must provide a witness an opportunity to explain a perceived implausibility during the merits hearing.
The full text of Lalayan v. Garland can be found here:
https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2021/07/13/18-73062.pdf