CERRATO PINEDA v. WHITAKER (2019)

MEMORANDUM **

Ingrid Cerrato-Pineda and her family, natives and citizens of Honduras, petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing their appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying their application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence the agency’s factual findings. Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1184-85 (9th Cir. 2006). We deny the petition for review.

Petitioners do not challenge the agency’s denial of Cerrato-Pineda’s son’s separate asylum application. See Corro-Barragan v. Holder, 718 F.3d 1174, 1177 n.5 (9th Cir. 2013) (failure to contest issue in opening brief resulted in waiver).

Cerrato-Pineda testified that her ex-husband raped her, and that she suffered other physical attacks and verbal harassment. Substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that Cerrato-Pineda did not establish the Honduran government was unwilling or unable to protect her from her ex-husband. See Rahimzadeh v. Holder, 613 F.3d 916, 920 (9th Cir. 2010) (applicant bears the burden of establishing that abuse was committed by the government or an agent the government is unwilling or unable to control). Thus, petitioners’ asylum claim fails.

In this case, because Cerrato-Pineda did not establish eligibility for asylum, she did not establish eligibility for withholding of removal. See Zehatye, 453 F.3d at 1190. Thus, her withholding of removal claim fails.

Finally, substantial evidence also supports the agency’s denial of CAT relief because Cerrato-Pineda failed to show it is more likely than not she would be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of the Honduran government. See Aden v. Holder, 589 F.3d 1040, 1047 (9th Cir. 2009).

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.