Yoc Diaz v. Gonzales

MEMORANDUM **

Hugo Josué Yoc Diaz, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) decision affirming the Immigration Judge’s (“I J”) denial of his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252 .

Where, as here, the BIA affirms without opinion, this Court reviews the IJ’s decision directly. See Falcon Carriche v. Ashcroft, 350 F.3d 845, 849 (9th Cir.2003). We review for substantial evidence, INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478 , 481 n. 1, 112 S.Ct. 812 , 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992), and we deny the petition.

Substantial evidence supports the IJ’s finding that Yoc Diaz failed to demonstrate that the Guatemalan government, guerillas, or gang members would target him on account of any protected ground. See Molina-Estrada v. INS, 293 F.3d 1089, 1094-95 (9th Cir.2002). Substantial evidence also supports the IJ’s finding that Yoc Diaz’s fear of future persecution is speculative. See Nagoulko v. INS, 333 F.3d 1012, 1018 (9th Cir.2003). Accordingly, Yoc Diaz’s asylum claim fails.

Because Yoc Diaz failed to establish eligibility for…