U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2011

Edin Medrano Merlos v. Eric Holder, Jr.

Edin Medrano Merlos v. Eric Holder, Jr.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided March 7, 2011 · Canby, Fernandez, Smith
418 F. App'x 667

Edin Medrano Merlos v. Eric Holder, Jr.

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Edin Rodolfo Medrano Merlos, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings and review de novo legal determinations. Santos-Lemus v. Mukasey, 542 F.3d 738, 742 (9th Cir. 2008). We deny the petition for review.

The BIA considered the cumulative harms Merlos experienced, including the deaths and disappearances of his friends and family, and denied relief. Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s conclusion that Merlos failed to establish that he suffered harm that rose to the level of persecution. See Prasad v. INS, 47 F.3d 336, 340 (9th Cir. 1995); see also Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1060 (9th Cir. 2009) (no past persecution where harm to others was not a part of “a pattern of persecution closely tied to” petitioner) (internal citation and quotation omitted). In addition, substantial evidence supports the BIA’s finding that Merlos failed to establish a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of a protected ground. See INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 483-84, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992) (petitioner failed to show the guerillas would persecute him because of his political opinion). Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the agency’s denial of the asylum claims. See id. at 481, n. 1, 112 S.Ct. 812 (to reverse the agency’s finding “we must find that the evidence not only supports that conclusion, but compels it”) (emphasis in original).

Because Merlos failed to establish eligibility for asylum, he necessarily fails to meet the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1190 (9th Cir. 2006).

Finally, substantial evidence supports the agency’s denial of CAT relief because Merlos failed to establish it is more likely than not he will be tortured by or with the acquiescence of a government official if returned to Guatemala. See Arteaga v. Mukasey, 511 F.3d 940, 948-49 (9th Cir. 2007).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

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