Melan v. Lynch

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Melan v. Lynch, 623 F. App'x 402 (9th Cir. 2015)

Melan v. Lynch

Opinion of the Court

MEMORANDUM **

Zsolt Melan, a native and citizen of Romania, 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, •Sita/a. v. Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1066, 1070 (9th Cir. 2008), and review de novo due process claims, Zetino v. Holder, 622 F.3d 1007, 1011-12 (9th Cir. 2010). We deny the petition for review.

We deny Melan’s pending motion to submit new evidence, and do not consider the materials attached to his motion. See Fisher v. INS, 79 F.3d 955, 963-64 (9th Cir. 1996) (en banc) (the court’s review is limited to the administrative record).

Melan does not challenge the agency’s determination that his asylum application was untimely, and that he failed to show any changed or extraordinary circumstances to excuse the delay. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259 (9th Cir. 1996).

As to withholding of removal, substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Melan’s experiences in Romania did not rise to the level of persecution. See Nahrvani v. Gonzales, 399 F.3d 1148, 1153-54 (9th Cir. 2005). Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s determination that Melan failed to show it is more likely than not he would be persecuted on account of a protected ground. See Pa-russimova v. Mukasey, 555 F.3d 734, 740-41 (9th Cir. 2009) (protected ground must be “at least one central reason” for persecution). We reject Melan’s contention that the agency failed to consider evidence. Thus, Melan’s withholding of removal claim fails.

Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s denial of Melan’s CAT claim, because Melan failed to demonstrate it is more likely than not he would be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official in Romania. See Silaya, 524 F.3d at 1073.

*403Finally, we reject Melan’s due process claim. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1246 (9th Cir. 2000) (requiring prejudice to prevail on a due process claim).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

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

Reference

Full Case Name
Zsolt MELAN v. Loretta E. LYNCH, Attorney General
Status
Published