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JUAN v. GARLAND (2021)

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.2021-05-25No. No. 19-71719

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Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Gregoria Gonzalez Juan and her two children, natives and citizens of Guatemala, petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing their appeal from an immigration judges (“IJ”) decision denying their 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 agencys factual findings. Conde Quevedo v. Barr, 947 F.3d 1238, 1241 (9th Cir. 2020). We deny the petition for review.

The BIA found petitioners waived their challenge to the IJs determination that their asylum application was time barred. Petitioners do not challenge the BIAs waiver finding in their counseled opening brief. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir. 1996) (issues not specifically raised and argued in a partys opening brief are waived). Thus, we deny the petition as to their asylum claim.

Substantial evidence supports the agencys finding that petitioners failed to establish they suffered harm rising to the level of persecution. See Duran-Rodriguez v. Barr, 918 F.3d 1025, 1028 (9th Cir. 2019) (threats alone rarely constitute persecution); Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1016 (9th Cir. 2003) (persecution is “an extreme concept”). Substantial evidence also supports the agencys determination that petitioners failed to establish an objectively reasonable fear of future persecution. See Nagoulko, 333 F.3d at 1018 (possibility of future persecution “too speculative”); see also Lanza v. Ashcroft, 389 F.3d 917, 935 (9th Cir. 2004) (no clear probability of persecution). Thus, petitioners’ withholding of removal claim fails.

Substantial evidence also supports the agencys denial of CAT relief because Gonzalez Juan failed to show it is more likely than not she will be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of the government if returned to Guatemala. See Aden v. Holder, 589 F.3d 1040, 1047 (9th Cir. 2009).

The temporary stay of removal remains in place until issuance of the mandate. The motion for a stay of removal is otherwise denied.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.