FILED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION NOV 26 2014
MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
LIGUO ZHANG, No. 12-71689
Petitioner, Agency No. A089-776-528
v.
MEMORANDUM*
ERIC H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General,
Respondent.
On Petition for Review of an Order of the
Board of Immigration Appeals
Submitted November 18, 2014**
Before: LEAVY, FISHER, and N.R. SMITH, Circuit Judges.
Liguo Zhang, a native and citizen of China, petitions for review of the Board
of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration
judge’s (“IJ”) decision denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal,
and protection under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have
*
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent
except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
**
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision
without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2).
jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence the
agency’s factual findings, applying the standards governing adverse credibility
determinations created by the REAL ID Act. Shrestha v. Holder, 590 F.3d 1034,
1039-40 (9th Cir. 2010). We deny the petition for review.
Zhang’s only challenge to the agency’s adverse credibility determination is
his contention that the agency did not adequately consider his explanations for
three inconsistencies. We reject Zhang’s contention, where the BIA considered
Zhang’s argument that the IJ failed to adequately address his explanations, rejected
Zhang’s argument, and upheld the IJ’s adverse credibility determination under the
totality of the circumstances. Further, the agency was not compelled to accept
Zhang’s explanations for these inconsistencies. See Zamanov v. Holder, 649 F.3d
1153, 1156 (9th Cir. 2011). In the absence of credible testimony, Zhang’s asylum
and withholding of removal claims fail. See Farah v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 1153,
1156 (9th Cir. 2003).
Finally, Zhang does not raise any arguments regarding the denial of CAT
relief. See Martinez-Serrano v. INS, 94 F.3d 1256, 1259-60 (9th Cir. 1996) (issues
not specifically raised and argued in a party’s opening brief are waived).
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.
2 12-71689