Case Name: Laura Virgelis ROMO-CADENES, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2012-10-15
Citations: 483 F. App'x 391
Docket Number: No. 10-70378
Parties: Laura Virgelis ROMO-CADENES, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
Judges: Before: RAWLINSON, MURGUIA, and WATFORD, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 483
Pages: 391–392

Head Matter:
Laura Virgelis ROMO-CADENES, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
No. 10-70378.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Submitted Oct. 9, 2012.
Filed Oct. 15, 2012.
Sharon A. Healey, Law Office of Sharon A. Healey, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.
Justin Robert Markel, Trial, DOJ — U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
Before: RAWLINSON, MURGUIA, and WATFORD, Circuit Judges.
The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM
Laura Virgelis Romo-Cadenes, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order dismissing her appeal from an immigration judge's ("IJ") decision denying her application for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture ("CAT"). Our jurisdiction is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence factual findings and review de novo questions of law. Wakkcary v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049, 1056 (9th Cir.2009). We dismiss in part and deny in part the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the IJ's finding that, even if Romo-Cadenes filed a timely asylum application, Romo-Cadenes failed to carry her burden to establish that she cannot relocate within Mexico to avoid harm. See Kaiser v. Ashcroft, 390 F.3d 653, 659 (9th Cir.2004) (in the absence of a presumption of a well-founded future fear, the petitioner has the burden of proving that relocation is unreasonable). Romo-Cadenes does not challenge the IJ's determination that she failed to demonstrate past persecution. 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). We lack jurisdiction to address her unexhausted contention that she established a fear of future persecution as a member of a disfavored group. See Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 678 (9th Cir.2004). Accordingly, her asylum claim fails.
Because Romo-Cadenes has not established eligibility for asylum, she necessarily fails to meet the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Zehatye v. Gonzales, 453 F.3d 1182, 1190 (9th Cir.2006).
Finally, Romo-Cadenes does not challenge the IJ's determination that she failed to demonstrate eligibility for CAT relief. See Martinez-Serrano, 94 F.3d at 1259-60.
PETITION FOR REVIEW DISMISSED in part; DENIED in part.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.