Abu-Ead

MEMORANDUM

Jack Abu-Ead, a native and citizen of Syria, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ final order of removal dismissing his appeal of an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for asylum and withholding of removal. We deny the petition.

To qualify for asylum relief, an applicant must show that he is unable or unwilling to return to his home country “ ‘because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.’ ” Melkonian v. Ashcroft, 320 F.3d 1061, 1064 (9th Cir.2003) (quoting 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(42)(A)). We review for substantial evidence the BIA’s determination that a petitioner has not demonstrated eligibility for asylum. Cordon-Garcia v. INS, 204 F.3d 985, 990 (9th Cir.2000). To prevail under this standard, a petitioner “must show that the evidence not only supports, but compels the conclusion that [the BIA’s] findings and decisions are erroneous.” Id.

Abu-Ead has not met his burden. The evidence does not compel a conclusion that he was persecuted or has a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of his religion.…