Sozonov v. Ashcroft

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Sozonov v. Ashcroft, 114 F. App'x 584 (4th Cir. 2004)

Sozonov v. Ashcroft

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

Alexander Yuryevich Sozonov, a native and citizen of Russia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“Board”) order affirming the immigration judge’s decision denying asylum, withhold *585 ing of removal and withholding under the Convention Against Torture. For the reasons discussed below, we deny the petition for review.

The decision to grant or deny asylum relief is conclusive “unless manifestly contrary to the law and an abuse of discretion.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(D) (2000). We have reviewed the Board’s decision and the immigration judge’s decision and the administrative record and find the record supports the conclusion that Sozonov failed to establish eligibility for asylum on a protected ground. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(a) (2004) (stating that the burden of proof is on the alien to establish his eligibility for asylum); INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 483, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992). Because the decision in this case is not manifestly contrary to law, we cannot grant the relief Sozonov seeks. *

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

PETITION DENIED

*

Sozonov fails to challenge the Board's denial of his applications for withholding from removal and withholding under the Convention Against Torture. Accordingly, he has abandoned any such challenge,

Reference

Full Case Name
Alexander Yuryevich SOZONOV, Petitioner, v. John D. ASHCROFT, Attorney General, Respondent
Status
Unpublished