Medhana v. Ashcroft

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Medhana v. Ashcroft, 112 F. App'x 939 (4th Cir. 2004)

Medhana v. Ashcroft

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Aden Mekonnen Medhana, a native and citizen of Ethiopia, seeks review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (Board) affirming the immigration judge’s denial of asylum, withholding of deportation, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. * The immigration judge concluded that, because of changed conditions in Ethiopia, Medhana did not have a well-founded fear of persecution or entitlement to asylum based on past persecution. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b) (2004); Gonahasa v. U.S. INS, 181 F.3d 538, 541-12 (4th Cir. 1999). We have reviewed the administrative record and the immigration judge’s decision and find that the ruling of the immigration judge, affirmed by the Board, is supported by substantial evidence. See INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992).

In addition, we uphold the denial of Medhana’s application for withholding of removal. “Because the burden of proof for withholding of removal is higher than for asylum — even though the facts that must be proved are the same — an applicant who is ineligible for asylum is necessarily ineligible for withholding of removal under [8 U.S.C.] § 1231(b)(3).” Camara v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 361, 367 (4th Cir. 2004).

Accordingly, we deny the petition for review. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials be *940 fore the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED

*

Medhana asserts no arguments regarding the Convention Against Torture in this Court.

Reference

Full Case Name
Aden Mekonnen MEDHANA, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, Attorney General, Respondent
Status
Unpublished