First Circuit rejects asylum claim

A Guatemalan man who proves (1) that a bus driven by his father in Guatemala was bombed by guerrillas; (2) that his mother was robbed by guerrillas; (3) that as a teenager he rejected recruitment efforts by guerrillas and fears persecution if returned to Guatemala; and (4) that if returned there from the U.S. there is a likelihood he will be targeted for perceived wealth . . . has no basis for asylum in the U.S., the First Circuit rules in Escobar v. Holder. Judge Boudin (from the comfort, no doubt, of Boston's palatial, heavily-protected federal courthouse) scoffs at Escobar's fears: ". . . being a target for thieves on account of perceived wealth, whether the perception is temporary or permanent, is merely a condition of living where crime is rampant and poorly controlled."