Toribio Carmelo Mendoza, Petitioner, v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Respondent, 48 F.3d 1228 (9th Cir. 1995)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Toribio Carmelo Mendoza, a native and citizen of Nicaragua, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' ("BIA") summary dismissal of his appeal from an immigration judge's ("IJ") decision denying his applications for asylum and withholding of deportation. We deny the petition for review.

The government contends that because Mendoza has failed to raise any issues regarding the BIA's summary dismissal in his opening brief, he has waived the right to challenge the BIA's decision. This contention has merit.

"It is well established in this Circuit that claims which are not addressed in the appellant's brief are deemed abandoned." Collins v. City of San Diego, 841 F.2d 337, 339 (9th Cir. 1988); accord Calderon-Ontiveros v. INS, 809 F.2d 1050, 1052 (5th Cir. 1986). Here, Mendoza has failed to raise in his opening brief any issues regarding the propriety of the BIA's summary dismissal. Moreover, Mendoza has made no reply in this court to the government's waiver argument. We therefore conclude that Mendoza has waived his right to challenge the BIA's summary dismissal. See Collins, 844 F.2d at 339.

In addition, "this court's review is limited to the decision of the BIA." Elnager v. INS, 930 F.2d 784, 787 (9th Cir. 1991). Thus, we decline to consider Mendoza's direct challenge to the IJ's decision. See id.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.