Case ID: f-appx_385/html/0628-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Hakob Sar CHURCHIAN, aka Hakop Cherichian, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER Jr., Attorney General, Respondent. Hakob Sar Churchian, aka Hakop Cherichian, aka Hakob Sargsi Churchian, aka Saro Sahakyan, aka Hakob Sarkisovich Churchian, Petitioner, v. Eric H. Holder Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
    Nos. 08-74464, 09-71506.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Argued and Submitted May 14, 2010.
    Filed June 21, 2010.
    Evangeline G. Abriel, Director, Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing, Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, CA, for Petitioner.
    Hakob Sar Churchian, pro se.
    Eric Warren Marsteller, Esquire, Trial, Oil, Jonathan Aaron Robbins, Esquire, Trial, Carol Federighi, Esquire, Senior Litigation Counsel, DOJ-U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, AZP-District Director, Office of the District Director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Phoenix, AZ, Ronald E. Lefevre, Office of the District Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, San Francisco, CA, for Respondent.
    Before: W. FLETCHER and N.R. SMITH, Circuit Judges, and PRO, District Judge.
    
      
       The Honorable Philip M. Pro, United States District Judge for the District of Nevada, sitting by designation.
    
   MEMORANDUM

Hakob Sar Churchian, a native and citizen of Azerbaijan, petitions for review of two decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”). In the first decision, the BIA denied Churchian deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In the second decision, the BIA denied Churchian’s combined motions to reconsider and to reopen sua sponte.

There is substantial evidence in the record supporting the BIA’s conclusion that Churchian did not establish that it is more likely than not that he will be tortured if returned to Azerbaijan. The record establishes that Churchian may well face discrimination and harassment in Azerbaijan as a result of his mixed ethnicity. It does not, however, compel the conclusion that he is more likely than not to be tortured. See Mutuku v. Holder, 600 F.3d 1210, 1214 (9th Cir.2010).

The BIA did not abuse its discretion when it denied Churchian’s motion to reconsider. Churchian’s primary argument for reconsideration was that the BIA had failed to consider sufficiently his past treatment in Azerbaijan and the suffering Churchian continues to experience as a result of that past treatment. Given the discussion of Churchian’s past treatment in the BIA’s decision, we cannot say it was “arbitrary, irrational, or contrary to law” to deny the motion to reconsider. Saldana v. I.N.S., 762 F.2d 824, 827 (9th Cir.1985).

This court does not have jurisdiction “to review the BIA’s decision not to exercise its sua sponte authority to reopen the case.” Nevarez Nevarez v. Holder, 572 F.3d 605, 607 (9th Cir.2009). Accordingly, we dismiss that part of the petition.

The first petition is DENIED. The second is DENIED in part and DISMISSED in part. 
      
       This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.