Aromin
Aromin v. Ashcroft
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Adriel Aromin, a native and citizen of the Philippines, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order affirming, without opinion, the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) decision denying his application for asylum and withholding of deportation. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1105a(a). See Kalaw v. INS, 133 F.3d 1147, 1150 (9th Cir.1997). We review the decision of the IJ for substantial evidence, Alaelua v. INS, 45 F.3d 1379, 1381 (9th Cir.1995), and deny the petition for review.
The IJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence because Aromin failed to demonstrate that the threats and extortion attempts made by the New People’s Army (“NPA”) were motivated, at least in part, *586 by his actual or imputed political opinion. Cf. Borja v. INS, 175 F.3d 732, 736 (9th Cir.1999) (en banc) (holding that petitioner demonstrated NPA members were motivated, at least in part, by petitioner’s stated political opinion).
Because Aromin does not satisfy the standard for asylum, he necessarily fails to satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of deportation. See Pedro-Mateo v. INS, 224 F.3d 1147, 1150 (9th Cir.2000).