MEJIA v. GARLAND (2021)

Mayra Jahel Rodezno Mejia, a native and citizen of Honduras, petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissing her appeal from the immigration judge's decision denying her applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”).^* We deny the petition for review.

“Whether a person's persecution shares a nexus with h[er] alleged protected ground is a question of fact entitled to deference and reviewed for clear error.” Cortez-Mendez v. Whitaker, 912 F.3d 205, 209 (4th Cir. 2019). We conclude that substantial evidence supports the agency's finding that Mejia failed to demonstrate a nexus between past persecution or fear of future persecution and a protected ground. See Velasquez v. Sessions, 866 F.3d 188, 196 (4th Cir. 2017) (explaining that “private and purely personal dispute[s]” will not suffice to show “persecution ‘on account of’ a protected ground”).

Accordingly, we deny the petition for review. We grant counsel's motion to withdraw. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.   Mejia does not challenge the decision denying her application for protection under the CAT. Accordingly, the issue is waived. See Fed. R. App. P. 28(a)(8)(A); Suarez-Valenzuela v. Holder, 714 F.3d 241, 248-49 (4th Cir. 2013) (noting issues not raised in appellate brief are abandoned).

PER CURIAM:

Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.