Demidova

MEMORANDUM **

Tamara Demidova, a native of the former Soviet Union and citizen of Russia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming the immigration judge’s (“IJ”) denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). Because the BIA streamlined the case and issued a decision without opinion, we review the IJ’s opinion. See Falcon Carriche v. Ashcroft, 350 F.3d 845, 855 (9th Cir.2003) (as amended). We review de novo questions of law. Chavez-Perez v. Ashcroft, 386 F.3d 1284, 1287 (9th Cir.2004). We review for substantial evidence the IJ’s factual findings. Ramos-Vasquez v. INS, 57 F.3d 857, 861 (9th Cir.1995).

Demidova was born and raised in Latvia. After the independence of Latvia, she applied for and obtained Russian citizenship. She claims that she experienced hostile treatment and discrimination aimed at Russians in Latvia. After losing her job in Latvia, Demidova traveled between Latvia and Russia on business trips before *661 entering the United States on a visitor’s visa.

Demidova sought asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the CAT based on her claim of past persecution…