Case Name: Phra Khou Gnot VONGPHAKDY, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2004-07-07
Citations: 102 F. App'x 414
Docket Number: No. 03-60728
Parties: Phra Khou Gnot VONGPHAKDY, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
Judges: Before SMITH, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 102
Pages: 414–415

Head Matter:
Phra Khou Gnot VONGPHAKDY, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
No. 03-60728.
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Decided July 7, 2004.
Joyce A. Shatteen, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Thomas Ward Hussey, Director U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation, Michelle E. Gorden, Francis W. Fraser, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, Anne M. Estrada, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service, Dallas, TX, Caryl G. Thompson, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service, New Orleans, LA, for Respondent.
John Ashcroft, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, pro se.
Before SMITH, DeMOSS, and STEWART, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Phra Khou Gnot Vongphakdy petitions for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming without opinion the decision of the immigration judge denying his application for relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
Because the BIA designated the immigration judge's decision as the final agency determination, review is of the immigration judge's decision. See Mikhael v. INS, 115 F.3d 299, 302 (5th Cir.1997). Vongphakdy, a Buddhist, contends that he will be unable to practice his religion as he would like to because the Communist Party is in control in Laos. He asserts that he was mistreated when he was in Laos due to his position as a chief monk. Vongphakdy has married and is no longer a monk, but contends that he fears that he would be arrested by the communists if he is returned to Laos. The immigration judge's determination that Vongphakdy did not meet his burden to show that he is likely to be tortured if removed is supported by substantial evidence. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.18(a) & 208.16(c)(2); Ontunez-Tursios v. Ashcroft, 303 F.3d 341, 353 (5th Cir.2002); Carbajal-Gonzalez v. INS, 78 F.3d 194, 197 (5th Cir.1996).
Vongphakdy also argues that the BIA erred in applying the summary review procedures in 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(e)(4) to affirm the immigration judge's denial of relief without opinion. He contends, based merely on the number of such summary affirmances, that this provision is being applied systematically. He asserts, in conclusory fashion, that his case was not thoroughly reviewed and that the regulations were misapplied. We previously have held that the BIA's summary affirmance procedures do not violate due process. See Soadjede v. Ashcroft, 324 F.3d 830, 832-33 (5th Cir.2003). Vongphakdy has failed to articulate why his case allegedly does not meet the criteria for affirmance without opinion, or how his case was not properly-reviewed. Accordingly, we find no error.
The petition for review is DENIED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.