Juan Carlos Vargas, a native and citizen of El Salvador, petitions this court for review of the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) affirmance of the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his applications for asylum and withholding of removal. Vargas asserts that he has suffered past persecution and fears future persecution on account of his imputed political opinion as a result of his family having strong ties to the military.

Although Vargas identifies the standard of review for withholding of removal applications, he fails to address the issue in the body of the brief. Accordingly, the withholding of removal claim is deemed abandoned. See Calderon-Ontiveros v. INS, 809 F.2d 1050, 1052 (5th Cir. 1986).

When, as here, the BIA adopts without opinion the IJ’s decision, this court reviews the IJ’s decision. Gomez-Mejia v. INS, 56 F.3d 700, 702 (5th Cir. 1995). Here, the IJ’s determination that Vargas has not shown past persecution or a well founded fear of future persecution if returned to El Salvador was supported by substantial evidence. Id. Accordingly, Vargas’ petition for review is DENIED.