Missak Kavlakian v. Eric Holder, Jr.

MEMORANDUM

Missak Karabet Kavlakian, a native and citizen of Lebanon, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence, Singh v. INS, 134 F.3d 962, 966 (9th Cir.1998), and we deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that Kavlakian failed to demonstrate changed or extraordinary circumstances sufficient to excuse the delay in filing his asylum application. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.4 (a)(4), (5). Accordingly, we deny the petition as to Kavlakian’s asylum claim.

The agency found Kavlakian failed to establish who shot at him or for what purpose, and the three visits from alleged Hezbollah members did not result in threats or harm. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s denial of withholding of removal because Kavlakian did not establish past persecution, see Singh, 134 F.3d at 967 (petitioner’s experiences must rise to the level of persecution and have occurred…