Bebedjian
Bebedjian v. Ashcroft
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM ***
Gevork Bebedjian, a native and citizen of Armenia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) dismissal of his appeal from an Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of deportation, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). Because the transitional rules apply, see Kalaw v. INS, 133 F.3d 1147, 1150 (9th Cir.1997), we have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1105a(a). We review for substantial evidence an adverse credibility determination. Mejia-Paiz v. INS, 111 F.3d 720 , 723 (9th Cir.1997). We deny the petition for review.
The BIA based its adverse credibility finding on numerous and substantial inconsistencies in Bebedjian’s testimony that went to the heart of his asylum claim. See Chebchoub v, INS, 257 F.3d 1038, 1043 *612 (9th Cir.2001). Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the BIA’s denial of Bebedjian’s application for asylum and withholding of deportation. See id. at 1045 .
We do not consider Bebedjian’s contention that the BIA violated his due process rights by not addressing his CAT claim because Bebedjian failed to raise this issue on appeal to the BIA. See Vargas v. INS, 831…