Luiz Maurilio De Souza v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Luiz Maurilio de Souza petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming an Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his claims for withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We deny the petition for review. Because the parties are familiar with the history of this case, we need not recount it here.

When, as here, the BIA adopts an IJ’s reasoning, we review both decisions. Paramasamy v. Ashcroft, 295 F.3d 1047, 1050 (9th Cir.2002). We review questions of law de novo. Cordoba v. Holder, 726 F.3d 1106, 1113 (9th Cir.2013). “[T]he BIA’s purely factual determinations [are reviewed] for substantial evidence.” Id. The BIA’s determination of eligibility will stand unless “no reasonable factfinder could find the petitioner ineligible for [relief].” Lim v. INS, 224 F.3d 929, 933 (9th Cir.2000).

With respect to his claim for withholding of removal, substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that Maurilio de Souza did not establish past persecution. See id. at 933-36 . Further, the record does not compel the conclusion that Maurilio de Souza demonstrated that it is more likely than not that he will be…