Opinion
No. 05-72106.
The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2).
Filed November 26, 2008.
Robert L. Lewis, Esq., Law Office of Robert L. Lewis, Oakland, CA, for Petitioner.
Ronald E. LeFevre, Chief Counsel, Office of the District Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, Charles P. Reichmann, U.S. Department of Justice, San Francisco, CA, Janice K. Redfern, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
On Petition for Review of an Order of the Board of Immigration Appeals. Agency No. A078-967-565.
Before: ALARCÓN, LEAVY, and TALLMAN, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Noemy Alvarado-Martinez, a native and citizen of El Salvador, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order summarily affirming an immigration judge's decision denying her application for asylum and withholding of removal. Our jurisdiction is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for substantial evidence and will uphold the agency's decision unless the evidence compels a contrary conclusion. Molina-Morales v. INS, 237 F.3d 1048, 1050 (9th Cir. 2001). We deny in part and dismiss in part the petition for review.
Substantial evidence supports the agency's determination that Alvarado-Martinez did not qualify for asylum because she failed to establish past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. See id. at 1051. Alvarado-Martinez testified that no one harmed or threatened her and she did not demonstrate that the incidents involving her husband and son create a "pattern of persecution closely tied" to her. See Arriagar-Barrientos v. INS, 937 F.2d 411, 414 (9th Cir. 1991). Moreover, Alvarado-Martinez's ability to live safely in El Salvador for the four years following the attack on her son undermines the objective basis of her fear of future persecution. See Castillo v. INS, 951 F.2d 1117, 1122 (9th Cir. 1991).
Because Alvarado-Martinez did not establish eligibility for asylum, it follows that she did not satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of removal. See Molina-Morales, 237 F.3d at 1051.
Alvarado's newly raised arguments regarding past persecution were not exhausted before the BIA and we lack jurisdiction to consider them. See Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 678 (9th Cir. 2004)