U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2006

La Torre v. Gonzales

La Torre v. Gonzales
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided March 16, 2006 · Smith, Garza, Prado
170 F. App'x 361

La Torre v. Gonzales

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Martha La Torre petitions this court for review of the Board of Immigration Appeal’s (BIA) order affirming the Immigration Judge’s (IJ) decision denying her motion for a continuance; denying her application for asylum as untimely and, alternatively, on the merits; and denying *362 her application for withholding of removal. La Torre argues that the IJ erred by denying her application for asylum, her application for withholding of removal, and her motion for a continuance.

The BIA’s affirmance of the IJ’s denial of asylum relied on the IJ’s determination that La Torre’s application was untimely. Accordingly, this court lacks jurisdiction to review the denial of asylum. Cf. Zhu v. Ashcroft, 382 F.3d 521, 526 (5th Cir. 2004) (BIA did not indicate whether it was affirming timeliness decision, merits decision, or both). La Torre has not shown that the evidence presented in her case compels the conclusion that the IJ erroneously denied her application for withholding of removal. See Chun v. INS, 40 F.3d 76, 78 (5th Cir. 1994). Because there is substantial evidence to support the IJ’s determination, La Torre is not entitled to relief. See Efe v. Ashcroft, 293 F.3d 899, 906 (5th Cir. 2002).

La Torre requested a continuance on the morning of the hearing due to the fact that one of her witnesses was not present. La Torre was previously granted a continuance based on the lack of availability of the same witness. Rather than issue a subpoena to secure his attendance, La Torre relied on his assertion that he would be present. Given these facts, La Torre has failed to show that the IJ abused his discretion by denying her motion. See Witter v. INS, 113 F.3d 549, 555-56 (5th Cir. 1997). In light of the foregoing, La Torre’s petition for review is DENIED.

*

Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.

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