Opinion ID: 4572660
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Withholding from Removal and CAT Relief

Text: To be eligible for withholding of removal, Zhakira would have to show that it is 'more likely than not' that he would be persecuted on account of a protected ground if repatriated. Yong Gao v. Barr, 950 F.3d 147, 154 (1st Cir. 2020) (quoting 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(b)(2)). We have repeatedly observed that [a] petitioner who cannot clear the lower hurdle for asylum will necessarily fail to meet the higher bar for withholding of removal. Paiz-Morales, 795 F.3d at 245. Our resolution of Zhakira's asylum claim thus also disposes of [his] withholding of removal claim. Ramírez-Pérez, 934 F.3d at 52. Zhakira presents essentially no argument on the denial of his request for CAT protection, and we therefore deem that claim waived. For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is denied. So ordered. - 16 -