Nixon Javier Lasa-Garcia, a native and citizen of El Salvador, petitions this court for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) affirmance of the Immigration Judge’s (IJ) denial of his applications for political asylum and withholding of removal. Lasa-Garcia argues that the evidence was sufficient to support a finding of past persecution and a well-founded fear of future persecution based on his political opinion. Lasa-Garcia asserts that the murder of his father constitutes de facto past persecution. He contends that this form of persecution is so severe that asylum should be granted, regardless whether changed conditions have dispelled any well-founded fear of future persecution. Although Lasa-Garcia identifies the standard of review for withholding of removal applications, he fails to address this issue in the body of his brief. Accordingly, the withholding of removal claim is deemed abandoned. See Calderon-Ontiveros v. INS, 809 F.2d 1050, 1052 (5th Cir. 1986) (issues not briefed are waived).

When, as in this case, the BIA adopts without opinion the IJ’s decision, this court reviews the IJ’s decision. Mikhael v. I.N.S., 115 F.3d 299, 302 (5th Cir. 1997). Here, the IJ’s determination that LasaGarcia had not shown past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution if returned to El Salvador was supported by substantial evidence. See Ontunez-Tursios v. Ashcroft, 303 F.3d 341, 350 (5th Cir. 2002); Gomez-Mejia v. I.N.S., 56 F.3d 700, 702 (5th Cir. 1995). Accordingly, Lasa-Garcia’s petition for review is DENIED.