VELEZ PILLADO v. SESSIONS III (2018)

MEMORANDUM *

Jose Luis Velez-Pillado, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his application withholding of removal. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings. Silaya v. Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1066, 1070 (9th Cir. 2008). We deny the petition for review.

Substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Velez-Pillado failed to demonstrate a nexus between the harm he fears and a protected ground. See Zetino v. Holder, 622 F.3d 1007, 1016 (9th Cir. 2010) (applicant’s desire to be free from harassment by criminals motivated by theft or random violence by gang members bears no nexus to a protected ground); cf. Barajas-Romero v. Lynch, 846 F.3d 351, 359-60 (9th Cir. 2017) (discussing Zetino). Thus, Velez-Pillado’s withholding of removal claim fails.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.