Gilberto Agustin Bolanos-zuniga, Petitioner, v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Respondent, 83 F.3d 426 (9th Cir. 1996)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Gilberto Agustin Bolanos-Zuniga, a native and citizen of Nicaragua, petitions this court for review of a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") denying his application for asylum and withholding of deportation pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §§ 1158(a) and 1253(h). We affirm.

The BIA's denial of asylum must be upheld if supported by reasonable, substantial, and probative evidence in the record. INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481 (1992). We review for an abuse of discretion. Ramos-Vasquez v. INS, 57 F.3d 857, 861 (9th Cir. 1995). The BIA's decision whether to withhold deportation is reviewed for substantial evidence. Berroteran-Melendez v. INS, 955 F.2d 1251, 1255 (9th Cir. 1992).

In order to qualify for asylum, a petitioner must demonstrate "a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in particular social group, or political opinion." 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a) (42) (A). In order to be eligible for withholding of deportation, an alien must demonstrate "a clear probability of persecution," INS v. Stevic, 467 U.S. 407, 413 (1984), a more stringent standard than that employed in evaluating asylum claims. INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca, 480 U.S. 421, 430-31 (1987).

As the parties are familiar with the factual and procedural history of this case, we will not repeat it here. Bolanos-Zuniga has failed to demonstrate either a "clear probability" or a "well-founded fear" of persecution. He was interrogated only once by the Sandinistas, who never threatened him, and he continued to work at his family's bookstore for four years after the incident. While his half-brother is a Contra who was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Sandinistas, Bolanos-Zuniga never met him, nor has Bolanos-Zuniga been involved with the Contras.

We therefore find that the facts of this case warrant neither the granting of asylum, nor the withholding of deportation.

Accordingly, the order of the Board of Immigration Appeals is

AFFIRMED.