Grigorian
Grigorian v. Gonzales
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM ***
Artush Grigorian, a native and citizen of Armenia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming without opinion an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his application for asylum, withholding of deportation and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“Convention”). Because transitional rules apply, 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, see Meza-Manay v. INS, 139 F.3d 759, 762 (9th Cir.1998), and we deny the petition for review.
The IJ found changed country conditions such that Grigorian does not have a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of an enumerated ground. Grigorian does not challenge either that finding or the denial of relief under the Convention in the opening brief. He has therefore waived these issues. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir.1996).
Because Grigorian failed to establish eligibility for asylum, he necessarily failed to meet the more stringent standard for withholding of deportation. See Alvarez-Santos v. INS, 332 F.3d 1245, 1255 (9th Cir. 2003).