Assoghlian

MEMORANDUM **

Bedros Assoghlian, a native and citizen of Lebanon, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) 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 factual findings, Kotasz v. INS, 31 F.3d 847, 851 (9th Cir.1994), and de novo claims of due process violations, Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 677 (9th Cir.2004), and we deny the petition for review.

In his opening brief, Assoghlian did not challenge the IJ’s finding that he did not suffer past persecution. See Bazuaye v. INS, 79 F.3d 118, 120 (9th Cir.1996) (per curiam) (declining to reach issue raised for the first time in the reply brief). Taking Assoghlian’s testimony as true, see Mansour v. Ashcroft, 390 F.3d 667, 672-73 (9th Cir.2004), substantial evidence supports the IJ’s denial of asylum because Assoghlian has failed to present compelling, objective evidence demonstrating a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of his religion, his priesthood, or the time…