FILED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION MAR 13 2012
MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS U .S. C O U R T OF APPE ALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
ROMAN FEDOROVICH BALCAN, No. 08-73928
Petitioner, Agency No. A097-599-372
v.
MEMORANDUM *
ERIC H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General,
Respondent.
On Petition for Review of an Order of the
Board of Immigration Appeals
Submitted March 6, 2012 **
Before: B. FLETCHER, REINHARDT, and TASHIMA, Circuit Judges.
Roman Fedorovich Balcan, a native of the former Soviet Union and citizen
of Moldova, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order
dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s decision denying his
application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention
*
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).
Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We
review for substantial evidence factual findings, Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d
1182, 1184-85 (9th Cir. 2006), and we deny the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the agency’s finding that Balcan failed to
demonstrate the harassment he and his family suffered under the Soviet regime,
and the incidents in 2002 and 2007 when they were prevented from holding
religious events, rise to the level of past persecution. See Nagoulko v. INS, 333
F.3d 1012, 1016 (9th Cir. 2003). Substantial evidence also supports the agency’s
finding that Balcan does not have a well-founded fear of future persecution. See
id. at 1018. Accordingly, Balcan’s asylum claim fails.
Because Balcan failed to meet the lower burden of proof for asylum, it
follows that he has not met the higher standard for withholding of removal. See
Zehatye, 453 F.3d at 1190.
Finally, substantial evidence also supports the agency’s denial of CAT relief
because Balcan failed to establish that it is more likely than not he will be tortured
by or with the acquiescence of the government of Moldova. See Silaya v.
Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2008).
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.
2 08-73928