Ricardo Lopez-Aguilar v. Jefferson Sessions

692 F. App'x 910

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 30, 2017
• Docket: 14-71261
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Ricardo Lopez-Aguilar, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from the 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 de novo due process claims and we review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings. Vilchez v. Holder, 682 F.3d 1195, 1198 (9th Cir. 2012). We deny the petition for review.

We reject Lopez-Aguilar’s contention that the agency violated his right to due process. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1246 (9th Cir. 2000) (requiring error to prevail on due process challenge).

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Lopez-Aguilar failed to establish that the harm he 'and his family suffered by gangs in Guatemala, even considered cumulatively, rose to the level of persecution. See Hoxha v. Ashcroft, 319 F.3d 1179, 1182 (9th Cir. 2003) (holding that harassment, threats, and one beating did not compel a finding of past persecution); see also Hernandez-Ortiz v. Gonzales, 496 F.3d 1042, 1046 (9th Cir. 2007) (injuries to a family must be considered in asylum cases where the events alleged as the basis for past persecution were perceived when the petitioner was a child). Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s conclusion that Lopez-Aguilar failed to establish that it is more likely than not he will be persecuted if returned to Guatemala. See Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1018 (9th Cir. 2003) (possibility of future persecution “too speculative”).

In this case, because Lopez-Aguilar failed to establish eligibility for asylum, his claim for withholding of removal necessarily fails. See Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1190 (9th Cir. 2006).

Finally, substantial evidence supports the agency’s denial of Lopez-Aguilar’s CAT claim because he failed to establish it is more likely than not he will be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of the government if returned to Guatemala. See Silaya v. Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2008).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.