Ismael Tounekti v. Eric H. Holder Jr.
Ismael Tounekti v. Eric H. Holder Jr.
Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Ismael Brahim Tounekti, a native and citizen of Tunisia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ 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 we review de novo the agency’s legal determinations. Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1056 (9th Cir. 2009). We deny the petition for review.
The record does not compel the conclusion that Tounekti’s untimely asylum application was filed within a reasonable period of time from when he last held lawful status. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.4(a)(5)(iv); Dhital v. Mukasey, 532 F.3d 1044, 1050 (9th Cir. 2008) (application filed 22 months after expiration of lawful nonimmigrant status expired was not reasonable). Accordingly, his asylum claim fails.
Tounekti does not contend he suffered past persecution. Rather, he contends he faces a clear probability of future persecution because the government would *829 impute to him the Islamist political opinions of his cousin and brother-in-law, who were both politically active and imprisoned by the government. Substantial evidence supports the agency finding that Tounekti has not established a clear probability of future persecution. See Hoxha v. Ashcroft, 319 F.3d 1179, 1185 (9th Cir. 2003); Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1018 (9th Cir. 2003) (possibility of future persecution too speculative). Accordingly, his withholding of removal claim fails.
Finally, substantial evidence supports the agency’s denial of Tounekti’s CAT claim because he failed to show that it is more likely than not that he will be tortured by, or with the consent or acquiescence of Tunisian authorities if returned to Tunisia. See Wakkary, 558 F.3d at 1067-68.
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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