Poghosyan
Poghosyan v. Mukasey
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Armen Poghosyan, a native and citizen of Armenia, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order summarily affirming an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). Our jurisdiction is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1252 . We review for substantial evidence, Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1015 (9th Cir.2003), and we dismiss in part and deny in part the petition for review.
Because Poghosyan failed to present any evidence that the beatings, extortion, and other mistreatment by the military police were on account of an imputed political opinion or membership in a social group, substantial evidence supports the IJ’s determination that the harm Poghosyan experienced was not on account of a protected ground. See Dinu v. Ashcroft, 372 F.3d 1041, 1044 (9th Cir.2004). Accordingly, Poghosyan’s asylum and withholding of removal claims fail. See id. at 1044-45 .
Substantial evidence further supports the denial of CAT relief because Poghosyan did not show it is more likely than not that he will be tortured if he returns to Armenia. See Singh v.…