a positive protection merits determination, the asylum officer shall approve the alien’s application for asylum under section 208, withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3), or protection under the Convention Against Torture. (3) Negative protection merits determination (A) In general In the case of an alien who the asylum officer determines does not meet the criteria for a positive protection merits determination— (i) the asylum officer shall deny the alien’s application for asylum under section 208, withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3), or protection under the Convention Against Torture