Horta Garcia v. Gonzales

476 F. App'x 134

Opinions

MEMORANDUM

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Victor Hugo Horta Garcia, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence factual findings. Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1056 (9th Cir.2009). We deny the petition for review.

Horta Garcia contends the agency erred in finding he did not establish past persecution based on an imputed political opinion. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Horta Garcia failed to establish the harm he and his family suffered was on account of a protected ground. See INS v. Elias-Zacari-as, 502 U.S. 478, 483, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992) (petitioner must provide some evidence, direct or circumstantial, of persecutor’s motive). In light of this conclusion, we need not address Horta Garcia’s contention that the agency erred in considering only the threats he received in Guatemala. Further, Horta Garcia’s reliance on the presumption of future persecution fails because he did not establish past persecution, see Molinar-Estmda v. INS, 293 F.3d 1089, 1096 (9th Cir.2002), and he does not otherwise challenge the agency’s conclusion that he failed to establish a reasonable fear of future persecution. Accordingly, Horta Garcia’s asylum claim fails. See Ochoa v. Gonzales, 406 F.3d 1166, 1172 (9th Cir.2005).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).