Za Cin Tung Ukhai v. Gonzales

PER CURIAM: * Za Cin Tung Ukhai (Ukhai), a citizen and native of Myanmar, petitions this court to review the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming the denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Ukhai argues that his credible testimony established that he has suffered past persecution due to a death threat by a Myanmar Army captain for reporting the abuse of Chin forced laborers. He also argues that he has a well-founded fear of future persecution because he reasonably fears future encounters with the military captain or others in authority who would harm him for reporting the abuse. He contends that his past persecution and well-founded fear of future persecution are based on a statutorily protected ground because the abuse of Chin forced laborers is common in Myanmar and individuals face serious consequences for reporting such abuse. Although Ukhai’s testimony was found credible, the BIA’s determination that he has not suffered past persecution or has a well-founded fear of future persecution based on a statutorily protected ground is supported by substantial evidence. See Eduard v. Ashcroft, 379 F.3d 182, 187 n. 4, 194 (5th Cir.2004); Gomez-Mejia v. I.N.S., 56 F.3d 700, 702 (5th Cir.1995). Because the BIA did not err in finding that Ukhai failed to make the requisite showing for asylum, the BIA did not err in finding that he could not meet the more stringent standard for proving eligibility for withholding of removal. See Faddoul v. I.N.S., 37 F.3d 185, 188 (5th Cir.1994). Ukhai also challenges the BIA’s decision denying him relief under the CAT. The BIA found that Ukhai failed to show that Myanmar public officials would acquiesce in his torture. This finding is also supported by substantial evidence. As the BIA noted, evidence in the record demonstrated that the Myanmar government took action to protect Ukhai from the military captain, who was not “acting under governmental authority.” See Ontunez-Tursios v. Ashcroft, 303 F.3d 341, 354 (5th Cir.2002); 8 C.F.R. § 208.18(a)(1). Accordingly, the petition for review is DENIED. Footnotes [*] Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir R. 47.5.4.