Santiago Vega-Ruiz v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Santiago Vega-Ruiz, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“U”) decision denying his applications for cancellation of removal, asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). Our jurisdiction is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings. Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1184-85 (9th Cir.2006). We dismiss in part and deny in part the petition for review.

We lack jurisdiction to review Vega-Ruiz’s challenge to the agency’s denial of his claim for cancellation of removal. See de Mercado v. Mukasey, 566 F.3d 810, 814 (9th Cir.2009) (court lacks jurisdiction to review the discretionary determination of whether petitioner’s relatives are likely to suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship). Further, contrary to Vega-Ruiz’s contention, the agency fully considered the factors relevant to the hardship determination.

Vega-Ruiz testified he was attacked during the robbery of a liquor store, received various threats, and fears future persecution by…