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Puati v. Holder

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Nov 22, 2010
404 F. App'x 180 (9th Cir. 2010)

Opinion

No. 07-71925.

Submitted November 16, 2010.

The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2).

Filed November 22, 2010.

Helena Celeste Lola Pedro, pro se.

Samuel Ouya Maina, Law Offices of S. Ouya Maina, San Francisco, CA, for Petitioners.

Chief Counsel Ice, Office of the Chief Counsel Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, OIL, DOJ — U.S. Department of Justice, Russell John Verby, Dalin Riley Holyoak, Esquire, Civil Division/Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

On Petition for Review of an Order of the Board of Immigration Appeals. Agency Nos. A095-005-418, A096-169-509 to A096-169-511.

Before: TASHIMA, BERZON, and CLIFTON, Circuit Judges.



MEMORANDUM

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Helena Celeste Lola Pedro Puati, and her children, natives and citizens of Angola, petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order dismissing their appeal from an immigration judge's ("IJ") decision denying their 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. Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1056 (9th Cir. 2009). We deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the IJ's determination that Puati did not demonstrate the harms she and her friends and family suffered amounted to past persecution. See Singh v. INS, 134 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 1998) (explaining that when there is no evidence of significant physical violence or specific threats of serious harm, the court is unlikely to find persecution). Substantial evidence also supports the IJ's finding that Puati does not have a well-founded fear of future persecution because her fear of individualized risk is too speculative. See Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1018 (9th Cir. 2003). Further, the record does not compel the conclusion that Puati established a pattern or practice of persecution. See Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1060-61 (9th Cir. 2009). Accordingly, Puati's asylum claim fails.

Because Puati did not establish eligibility for asylum, it necessarily follows she failed to satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1190 (9th Cir. 2006).

Finally, substantial evidence also supports the IJ's conclusion that Puati is not eligible for CAT protection because she failed to show it is more likely than not she would be tortured in Angola. See Wakkary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1067-68 (9th Cir. 2009).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.


Summaries of

Puati v. Holder

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Nov 22, 2010
404 F. App'x 180 (9th Cir. 2010)
Case details for

Puati v. Holder

Case Details

Full title:Helena Celeste Lola Pedro PUATI; et al., Petitioners, v. Eric H. HOLDER…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Date published: Nov 22, 2010

Citations

404 F. App'x 180 (9th Cir. 2010)