Lopez

MEMORANDUM ***

Valdemar Joel M. Lopez, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) affirming an Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of his applications for asylum and withholding of deportation. This case is governed by the transitional rules, and we have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1105a(a). See Kalaw v. INS, 133 F.3d 1147, 1150 (9th Cir.1997).

The evidence here does not compel reversal of the BIA’s finding that Lopez failed to show an objectively reasonable fear of persecution upon return to Guatemala. See Gormley v. Ashcroft, 364 F.3d 1172, 1180 (9th Cir.2004) (stating that to obtain reversal of the BIA’s decision a *307 petitioner must show that “credible, direct, and specific evidence in the record” would compel any reasonable factfinder to conclude that he has a well-founded fear of persecution).

By failing to qualify for asylum, Lopez necessarily fails to satisfy the more stringent standard for withholding of deportation. See Alvarez-Santos v. INS, 332 F.3d 1245,1255 (9th Cir.2003).

Pursuant to Elian v. Ashcroft, 370 F.3d 897, 900 (9th Cir.2004) (order), petitioner’s voluntary departure period will…