Opinion
No. 07-72922.
The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2).
Filed October 26, 2009.
Elias Z. Shamieh, Esquire, Law Offices Of Elias Z. Shamieh, San Francisco, CA, for Petitioner.
Ronald E. Lefevre, Office of the District Counsel Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, for Respondent.
On Petition for Review of an Order of the Board of Immigration Appeals. Agency No. A079-638-209.
Before: B. FLETCHER, LEAVY, and RYMER, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Ali Rajeh Saleh Almntaser, a native and citizen of Yemen, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' ("BIA") order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge's ("IJ") 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 questions of law and review for substantial evidence factual findings. See Husyev v. Mukasey, 528 F.3d 1172, 1177 (9th Cir. 2008).
The record does not compel the conclusion that Almntaser's alleged illness, or his expectation that he would eventually obtain immigration benefits through his marriage established extraordinary circumstances that excuse the untimely filing of his asylum application. See 8 C.F.R. 1208.4(a)(5)(i); see also Husyev, 528 F.3d at 1181-82. Accordingly, Almntaser's asylum claim fails.
Substantial evidence supports the agency's determination that Almntaser's experiences in Yemen did not rise to the level of persecution, see Lim v. INS, 224 F.3d 929, 936-38 (9th Cir. 2000) (threats received did not demonstrate past persecution); and that he does not have a clear probability of persecution on account of a protected ground, see Molina-Morales v. INS, 237 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir. 2001) (personal retribution is not persecution on account of protected ground). Accordingly, Almntaser's withholding of removal claim fails.
Substantial evidence supports the agency's denial of CAT relief because Almntaser did not show a likelihood of torture if returned to Yemen. See Silaya v. Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2008).
Finally, Almntaser's contention that the BIA abused its discretion by failing to state reasons for denying CAT relief is without merit. See Abebe v. Gonzales, 432 F.3d 1037, 1040-41 (9th Cir. 2005) (en banc) (where BIA cites Matter of Burbano and does not express disagreement with the IJ's decision, BIA has independently reviewed record and adopted the IJ's decision in its entirety).