Moreira-Flores
Moreira-Flores v. Holder
Opinion
Opinion
MEMORANDUM
Manuel Pineda, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order affirming an 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 for substantial evidence, Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1184-85 (9th Cir. 2006), and we deny the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Pineda failed to establish a nexus between the persecution he fears in Guatemala and a statutorily protected ground. See INS v. EliasZacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 482 , 112 S.Ct. 812 , 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992); Gormley v. Ashcroft, 364 F.3d 1172, 1177 (9th Cir.2004) (random criminal acts bore no nexus to a protected ground). Accordingly, Pineda’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail.
Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s determination that Pineda is not eligible for CAT relief because he failed to show it is more likely than not he would be tortured if removed to Guatemala. See Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1067-68 (9th Cir.2009).