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Cases discussed on the Immigration Review Podcast

Cases discussed on the Immigration Review Podcast

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3/4/24

F.J.A.P. v. Garland, No. 21-2284 (7th Cir. Feb. 27, 2024)

    • withholding-only review; Nasrallah; 30 day rule; claims processing rule; jurisdiction; Guzman Chavez; final order of removal; reinstatement; Bhaktibhai-PatelSantos-Zacaria; statutory interpretation; presumption of review; clear error and credibility; reweighing evidence; failure to identify IJ errors; MS-13; extortion; El Salvador

Esteban-Garcia v. Garland, No. 23-1701 (1st Cir. Feb. 29, 2024)

    • nexus; indigenous women; forced prostitution; Guatemala

Uribe Andrade v. Garland, No. 21-1244 (9th Cir. Mar. 1, 2024)

    • particular social group; particularity; Mexicans with mental health disorders characterized by psychotic features who exhibit erratic behavior; defining terms; mental health facility; gang tattoos; Villegas; Mexico

Amador-Morales v. Garland, No. 22-3653 (8th Cir. Feb. 27, 2024)

    • deficient NTA motion to reopen; intervening change of law; Matter of Fernandes; close of pleadings

2/26/24

Matter of Azrag, 28 I&N Dec. 784 (BIA 2024)

    • vacated criminal conviction; Thomas and Thompson; procedural or substantive defect; burden of proof; reasons for vacating

Singh Bhagtana v. Garland, No. 20-1673 (2d. Cir. Feb. 22, 2024)

    • reasonable relocation outside of Punjab State; Sikh; Mann Party; India

Singh v. Garland, No. 23-2289 (8th Cir. Feb. 23, 2024)

    • changed country condition motion to reopen; abandoned asylum application; due process and COVID-19; Sikh; Mann Party; BJP; India

United States v. Ivey, No. 22-4052 (6th Cir. Feb. 20, 2024)

    • crime of violence; aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon under Oh. Rev. Code § 2911.01(A)(1); generic robbery; generic extortion; Borden; Oh. Rev. Code § 2913.01(K)

2/19/24

Herrow v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 22-1854 (3d Cir. Feb. 13, 2024)

    • repatriated Somalis; particularity and distinction; Westernized Somalis; CAT protection; acquiesce; Georgetown Report; Reer Hamar Bendiri; Al Shabaab; Somalia

Guzman-Maldonado v. Garland, No. 23-9 (9th Cir. Feb. 14, 2024)

    • aggravated felony theft offense; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); Arizona robbery; Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-1904(A); consensual theft; intent and force

Alejos-Perez v. Garland, No. 22-60555 (5th Cir. Feb. 16, 2024)

    • Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.1161 (possession of a substance in Penalty Group 2-A); Carter; realistic probability test; exhaustion; Santos Zacaria; failure to cite case law

Mestanek v. Jaddou, No. 22-2285 (4th Cir. Feb. 13, 2024)

    • INA § 204(c); FDNS; marriage fraud; Florida divorce; APA; Homeland Security Act of 2002; reweighing evidence; presumption of regulatory; 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(16); exceptions to review of A-File; Matter of Singh

2/12/24

Matter of Bernardo, 28 I&N Dec. 781 (BIA 2024)

    • I-751; joint filing; allegation of marriage fraud; properly filed; duress and coercion

Patel v. Jaddou, No. 24-0026 (6th Cir. Feb. 9, 2024)

    • U-visa disclosure; penalties; 8 U.S.C. § 1367; willfulness; APA; private right of action against federal officials

United States v. Devereaux, No. 22-1203 (10th Cir. Feb. 6, 2024)

    • assault resulting in serious bodily injury in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(6); crime of violence; mens rea divisibility; presumption of indivisibility; general intent; Borden

2/5/24

Matter of Aguilar Hernandez, 28 I&N Dec. 774 (BIA 2024)

    • deficient NTA; Form I-261; interlocutory appeal; termination; regulatory interpretation; factual and legal allegations in an NTA; Niz-Chavez dicta

Gaspar-Felipe v. Garland, No. 22-3372 (8th Cir. Jan. 30, 2024)

    • indigenous asylum claim; persecution because of debts; family remaining in country of fear; Guatemala

Davis v. Garland, No. 22-3262 (8th Cir. Feb. 1, 2024)

    • motion to reopen; asylum waiver; mental health; mental competency; new and previously unavailable evidence

Lopez-Benitez v. Garland, No. 22-1808 (4th Cir. Jan. 30, 2024)

    • nexus; incidental or tangential; MS-13 extortion as persecution; exhaustion post-Santos-Zacaria; El Salvador

Ayala-Osegueda v. Garland, No. 22-1707 (4th Cir. Feb. 1, 2024)

    • mixed adverse credibility finding; express credibility; family based particular social group; nexus; persuasiveness; asylum despite adverse credibility; extortion; MS-13; El Salvador

Nivar Santana v. Garland, No. 22-2114 (4th Cir. Feb. 2, 2024)

    • clearly and beyond doubt admissible; adjustment of status; false claim to citizenship; definition of “assimilation”; military service; evidentiary admission and fundamental fairness

1/29/24

Pineda-Maldonado v. Garland, No. 20-1912 (1st Cir. Jan. 24, 2024)

    • past torture; past persecution; death threats alone; imminent threats; mixed motive; animus; family membership; cattle thieves; nexus standard for withholding; El Salvador

Owusu v. Garland, No. 24-0016 (6th Cir. Jan. 24, 2024)

    • police unable or unwilling to protect; failure to report; New Patriot Party; NPP; National Democrat Congress; NDC, Ghana

Mencia-Medina v. Garland, No. 20-1724 (8th Cir. Jan. 23, 2024)

    •  special rule cancellation of removal under INA § 240A(b)(2); VAWA cancellation; abuse as a discretionary factor; BIA reweighing evidence; exhaustion

United States v. Gambino-Ruiz, No. 21-50303 (9th Cir. Jan. 24, 2024)

    • applicant for admission; INA § 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I); Torres v. Barr; collateral attack of removal order; 8 U.S.C. § 1326;  United States v. Palomar-Santiago; arriving alien

Lodge v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 22-10416 (11th Cir. Jan. 26, 2024)

    • former INA § 321(a); derivative citizenship; equal protection; race discrimination; third party standing

1/22/24

Velasquez-Castillo v. Garland, No. 21-60681 (5th Cir. Jan. 17, 2024)

    • Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”); motion to reopen; minor; newly available evidence; changed country conditions; failure to consider evidence; sexual orientation; Honduras

United States v. Daye, No. 23-1048 (8th Cir. Jan. 16, 2024)

    • Domestic Abuse Assault, Enhanced under Iowa Code § 708.2A(3)(b); DAAE; crimes of violence; waive divisibility argument despite separate penalty provisions; realistic probability; simple assault

1/15/24

Matter of Panin, 28 I&N Dec. 771 (BIA 2024)

    • bond; collateral estoppel; INA § 236(a); Bail Reform Act

United States v. Ortiz-Orellana, No. 16-4844 (4th Cir. Jan. 10, 2024)

    • crime of violence; VICAR; felony murder; divisibility; means vs. elements; impotance of jury instructions; crime of violence

1/8/24

Singh v. Garland, No. 23-1192 (7th Cir. Jan. 2, 2024)

    • adverse credibility; omission; medical reports; past persecution harm; due process challenge; exhaustion; Mann Party; Sikh; India

Mejia-Alvarenga v. Garland, No. 22-60554 (5th Cir. Jan. 3, 2024)

    • unable or unwilling to protect; complete helplessness; failure to report harm; rape; threats; due process; three member panel; DHS failure to file brief; IJ bias; TRAC

1/1/24

Espinoza-Ochoa v. Garland,  No. 21-1431 (1st Cir. Dec. 27, 2023)

    • particular social group; social distinction; circularity; farmers; nexus; mixed motive; one central reason; retribution; criminal motives transforming into protected ground; revenge; gangs; Guatemala

Pascual-Miguel v. Garland, No. 20-2397 (8th Cir. Dec. 27, 2023)

    • ineffective assistance of counsel; prejudice; nexus; Mendez Rojas Class Settlement; untimely asylum application

Essel v. Garland, No. 22-2615 (8th Cir. Dec. 28, 2023)

    • sua sponte motion to reopen; equitable tolling; 3-year residency requirement for naturalization; exhaustion

Rodriguez-Hernandez v. Garland, No. 21-456 (9th Cir. Dec. 27, 2023)

    • crime of violence; harassment in violation of Wash. Rev. Code 9A.46.020(1); realistic possibility; other state crimes; divisibility; force against property; graffiti; CAT; Mexico

Alcarez-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 21-411 (9th Cir. Dec. 28, 2023)

    • motion to remand for new evidence; reasonably available evidence; denial of relief as abandoned; missed filing deadline; good cause standard; Matter of R-C-R-; transgender HIV positive; Mexico

12/25/23

Matter of H. N. Ferreira, 28 I&N Dec. 765 (BIA 2023)

    • I-751; removal of conditional LPR status; IJ authority to terminate

Delgado-Victorio v. Garland, No. 23-60102 (5th Cir. Dec. 18, 2023)

    • aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon in violation of Tex. Penal Code § 22.021(a)(1)(A) & (2)(A)(iv); Borden and mens rea; crime of violence; good cause for a continuance

12/18/23

United States v. Trice, No. 23-1406 (8th Cir. Dec. 12, 2023)

    • least culpable conduct criminalized by Iowa Code § 726.6(1)(a); child endangerment; general intent definition; witnessing assault

U.S. v. Menendez-Montalvo, No. 22-1687 (1st Cir. Dec. 12, 2023)

    • crime of violence; Article 3.1 of Puerto Rico’s Domestic Violence Law; psychological abuse; intent vs. actual force; JohnsonStokeling; slight or de minimus force

U.S. v. Amos, No. 20-3298 (3d Cir. Dec. 14, 2023)

    •  18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2702(a)(3)–(7); crime of violence; aggravated assault; waived argument winning on appeal

12/11/23

Argueta-Hernandez v. Garland, No. 22-60307 (5th Cir. Dec. 5, 2023)

    • untimely petition for review; withholding; final order; Bhaktibhai-PatelNasrallah; panel rehearing; claims processing rule; Santos-Zacaria; death threats alone; one central reason; a reason; nexus; government says leave country; willful blindness; MS-13; El Salvador; Villarreal

Singh Bhagtana v. Garland, No. 20-1673 (2d Cir. Dec. 5, 2023)

    •  reasonable relocation; DHS burden; Bharatiya Janata Party (“BJP”); Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (“Mann”) Party; India

United States v. Chaires, No. 20-4162 (2d Cir. Dec. 7, 2023)

    • Minter; N.Y. Penal Law § 220.39(1); cocaine isomer; controlled substance offense; failure to argue below; categorical approach

Aguilar-Sanchez v. Garland, No. 22-3598 (8th Cir. Dec. 4, 2023)

    • sexual abuse of a minor aggravated felony: conduct and mens reaEsquivel-Quintana; Minn. Stat. § 609.324, subd. 1(b)(3); Matter of Rodriguez-Rodriguez

Mwendapeke v. Garland, No. 22-2383 (7th Cir. Dec. 7, 2023)

    • complicity to robbery in the first degree in violation of KY. Rev. Stat. §§ 502.020 & 515.020, 515.020; generic definition of aiding and abetting; act through omission; verbal aiding and abetting; violent force; Taylor

Sebastian-Sebastian v. Garland, No. 23-0267 (6th Cir. Dec. 8, 2023)

    • nexus; inextricably intertwined; mixed motive; Chuj women unable to leave; witches; humanitarian asylum; Guatemala

12/04/23

American Bar Association Opposition to Proposals that Restrict Asylum and Humanitarian Parole in Supplemental Funding Request

Matter of M-R-M-S-, 28 I&N Dec. 757 (BIA 2023)

    • asylum; nexus; particular social group; family membership; L-E-A-; incidental, tangential, or superficial; cartel desire for land

Tellez-Ramirez v. Garland, No. 22-1168 (9th Cir. Nov. 29, 2023)

    • possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver in violation of Idaho Code § 37-2732(a)(1)(A); controlled substance trafficking; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); different punishments or penalties; divisibility; Alfred; accomplice liability

Babaria, et al. v. Antony Blinken, et al., No. 22-16700 (9th Cir. Dec. 1, 2023)

    • injunction; mandamus; visa bulletin; EB-2; India; TRO; jurisdiction and review; INS § 245(B)

Khanal Singh v. Garland, No. 21-1665 (1st Cir. Nov. 27, 2023)

    • unable or unwilling to protect; need only show unable or unwilling; failure to report; government action; Nepal; Maoists

11/20/23

Martinez v. Garland, No. 22-1221 (4th Cir. Nov. 16, 2023)

    • reasonable fear review; Nasrallah; 30 day rule; claims processing rule; jurisdiction; Guzman Chavez; final order of removal; reinstatement; Bhaktibhai-PatelSantos-Zacaria

Hernandez-Mendez v. Garland, No. 20-1789 (1st Cir. Nov. 15, 2023)

    • past persecution; unfulfilled threats; refusal to obey gangs; Mam ethnicity; Guatemala

Manguriu v. Garland, No. 22-1220 (1st Cir. Nov. 16, 2023)

    • VAWA petition; USCIS notice on counsel; 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(19)(ii)(A); I-360; INA § 239(a)(2)(A); 8 C.F.R. § 292.4(a)

Zuniga de la cruz v. Garland, No. 21-352 (9th Cir. Nov. 17, 2023)

    •  due process; Miranda warnings; fundamental fairness; exclusionary rule; noncitizen Fifth Amendment rights

11/13/23

Juarez-Vicente v. Garland, No. 22-3318 (8th Cir. Nov. 7, 2023)

    • past persecution; harassment; non-physical harm; cumulative analysis for persecution; gay and bisexual men; Guatemala

Varela-Chavarria v. Garland, No. 22-1780 (1st Cir. Nov. 9, 2023)

    • protections and IJ responsibilities for asylum seekers; pro se; fear of gang extortion; cumulative harm analysis for past persecution; harm experienced as a child; threats of rape; El Salvador

11/06/23 

Buy Above the Ground – A True Story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland

Other Links!

10/30/23

Matter of Brathwaite, 28 I&N Dec. 751 (BIA 2023)

    • criminal conviction; finality; Matter of J.M. Acosta; N.Y. Crim. Pen. L. § 460.30; late-filed appeals

M.S.C. v. Garland, No. 21-1496 (1st Cir. Oct. 24, 2023)

    • opposition to Chinese family planning policy; adverse credibility; motion to reopen; recalling forced abortion; demeanor; authentication; 8 C.F.R. § 287.6; corroboration

10/26/23 

Learn all about Judge Mimi Tsankov: FBA Profile

Additional links!:

Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and border Safety – Preserving Due Process and the Rule of Law: Examining the Status of Our Nation’s Immigration Courts

    • The Honorable Mimi Tsankov – President, National Association of Immigration Judges
    • The Honorable Rebecca Gambler – Director, Homeland Security and Justice
      U.S. Government Accountability Office
    • Jeremy McKinney – AILA Immediate Past President
    • Charles “Cully” Stimson – Deputy Director, Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies

National Association of Immigration Judges

10/23/23

USA v. Redd, No. 20-6957 (4th Cir. Oct. 19, 2023)

    • divisibility; violent felony/crime of violence; focus on what jury must find; Maryland first degree assault in violation of Md. Code, Art. 27 § 12A-1; rejecting state courts use of the word “element”; recklessness; battery; aggravating factor of firearm

Pacheco-Mota v. Garland, No. 22-3651 (8th Cir. Oct. 18, 2023)

    • child witness to gang violence; particular social group; particularity; social distinction; Guatemala

10/16/23

Caz v. Garland, No. 23-1108 (1st Cir. Oct. 11, 2023)

    • reasonable relocation; testimony alone for relocation; economic discrimination; indigenous; Quechua; Ecuador

American Bar Association Links!

10/09/23

American Bar Association Links!

Immigration Lawyers Toolbox Marriage and Fiancé Visas + I-751 course

Kemokai v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-12743 (11th Cir. Oct. 2, 2023)

    • aggravated felony theft offense; § 101(a)(43)(G); Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 17; Santos-Zacaria; exhaustion requirement in the Eleventh Circuit; B-Z-R-; mental health; particularly serious crime

Nerio Perez v. Garland, No. 22-2434 (7th Cir. Oct. 3, 2023)

    • unable or unwilling to protect; protective order; Mayan ancestry; women; Guatemala

10/02/23

ASISTA!

    • To learn more about ASISTA’s work, click here! And follow ASISTA on all the social medias : )
    • Sign up here for the Wednesday, Oct. 18th at 7pm ET event, and/or make a donation to support ASISTA’s work!

Pesikan v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-3307 (3d Cir. Sept. 26, 2023)

    • divisibility; 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3802; controlled substance; driving while under the influence of marijuana; charging document; Mathis peak

Doe v. United States, No. 22-843 (2d Cir. Aug. 1, 2023)

    • FTCA; Bivens; equitable tolling; sexual assault by ICE officers; extraordinary circumstance; due diligence

9/25/23

United States v. Kousisis (CA3), Ed’s Article, and Kim’s Award!

    • federal loss amount; U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1; Child Status Protection Act (CSPA); my wife! (Borat voice)

St. John v. Garland, No. 22-1695 (1st Cir. Sept. 19, 2023)

    • finality of conviction; Matter of J.M. Acosta; vacating conviction in Massachusetts; negative inference

9/18/23

Hermosillo v. Garland, No. 18-71220 (9th Cir. Sept. 14, 2023)

    • reasonable fear interview; reasonable possibility standard; 10%; credible testimony satisfies nexus and police acquiesce

Rudnitskyy v. Garland, No. 21-1098 (9th Cir. Sept. 14, 2023)

    • “rendered inadmissible”; INA § 240A(d)(1)(B); cancellation of removal; stop-time rule; Barton

Matter of Cabrera-Fernandez, 28 I&N Dec. 747 (BIA 2023)

    • humanitarian parole under INA § 212(d)(5)(A); conditional parole under INA § 236(a)(2)(B); Jennings; applicant for admission; Cuban Adjustment Act

Peguero Vasquez v. Garland, No. 21-6380 (2d Cir. Sept. 13, 2023)

    • possession of a forged instrument under N.Y. Pen. Law § 170.20; retroactivity; N.Y. Pen. Law. § 70.15(1-a); CIMT; one year term of imprisonment; vacatur of conviction (dicta)

Avila v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 22-1374 (3d Cir. Sept. 14, 2023)

    • N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-4(a); CIMT; Matter of S. Wong; definition of conviction under INA § 101(a)(48)(A); Chevron; Castillo; sexual violence asylum claims; Honduras; A-R-C-G-

Munoz-De Zalaya v. Garland, No. 22-60505 (5th Cir. Sept. 12, 2023)

    • Salvadoran business owners; nexus; particular social group; gangs; El Salvador; deficient NTA; Santos-Zacaria; exhaustion

Solis-Flores v. Garland, No. 22-1147 (4th Cir. Sept. 11, 2023)

    • receipt of stolen property CIMT; VA Code § 18.2-108; realistic probability test; post conclusion voluntary departure; 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(c)(3)(i); timing to advise voluntary departure bond

9/11/23

USA v. Minter, No. 21-3102 (2d Cir. Sept. 6, 2023)

    • sale of cocaine; N.Y. Penal Law § 220.39; serious drug offense; definition of isomer; realistic probability test

Matter of C-G-T-, 28 I&N Dec. 740 (BIA 2023)

    • one-year deadline; gay men in the Dominican Republic; reasonableness of reporting harm to police; reporting harm as child; sexual identity as immutable; statement of persecutor and nexus

Ponce-Flores v. Garland, No. 21-2377 (4th Cir. Sept. 6, 2023)

    • gang-based CAT deferral; aggregate torture; police corruption; acquiescence; former gang member; MS-13; harm in U.S. prison; Honduras

Velázquez v. Garland, No. 22-9576 (10th Cir. Sept. 8, 2023)

    • voluntary departure; deadline on a weekend; extending statutory deadline; motion to reopen; failure to depart

Martinez-De Umana v. Garland, No. 22-60340 (5th Cir. Sept. 8, 2023)

    • gang-based asylum fear; MS-13; Matter of Fuentes; fear because prison guard or police officer; Dr. Thomas Boerman; considering expert testimony; Ministry of Justice; El Salvador

Alonso-Juarez v. Garland, No. 15-72821 (9th Cir. Sept. 8, 2023)

    • reasonable fear review; Nasrallah; 30 day rule; claims processing rule; jurisdiction; Guzman Chavez; final order of removal; reinstatement; Bhaktibhai-Patel; Santos-Zacaria; Suspension Clause

9/04/23

Pomavilla-Zaruma v. Garland, No. 20-3230 (2d Cir. Aug. 30, 2023)

    • credibility; border interview; credible fear interview transcript; Ramsameachire factors

Trejo-Gamez v. Garland, No. 21-3329 (8th Cir. Aug. 30, 2023)

    • jurisdiction; motion to reopen to present new evidence; ineffective assistance of counsel; Patel; abuse of discretion

Uulu v. Garland, No. 22-1973 (7th Cir. Sept. 1, 2023)

    • adverse credibility; inconsistencies; corroborating inconsistent testimony; recollection and trauma; Kyrgyzstan

Al-Hasani v. DHS, No. 22-1603 (3d Cir. Aug. 30, 2023)

    • naturalization; good moral character; INA § 101(f); definition of polygamy; bigamy; INA § 212(a)(10)(A); Chevron deference; Matter of G-; definition of practice

Lin v. Garland, No. 22-3807 (6th Cir. Sept. 1, 2023)

    • objective fear of persecution; underground house church Christian; opposition to family planning; longtime police interest in arrest; past harm and future individualized risk; reasonableness of relocation; 8 C.F.R. § 210.13(b)(3);China

Flores-Vasquez v. Garland, No. 20-73447 (9th Cir. Aug. 31, 2023)

    • CIMT; Or. Rev. Stat. § 163.190; Matter of J-G-P-; assault; menacing; intent to fear

8/28/23

Murillo Morocho v. Garland, No. 22-1881 (1st Cir. Aug. 21, 2023)

    • CAT deferral; prosecution as persecution; consent or acquiesce; willful blindness; prison violence in Ecuador

Montoya-Lopez v. Garland, No. 23-1036 (1st Cir. Aug. 21, 2023)

    • past persecution; particular social group; “family members of a business owner perceived as wealthy”; “people who have fled gangs instead of continuing to pay extortion”; extortion as persecution; economic deprivation; El Salvador

Munoz-Rivera v. Garland, No. 22-3124 (7th Cir. Aug. 24, 2023)

    • domestic violence type asylum; material inconsistency; waiver of argument

Robbertse v. Garland, No. 22-1739 (8th Cir. Aug. 21, 2023)

    • wire fraud; 18 U.S.C. § 1343; aggravated identity theft; 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(c)(5); INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); circumstance specific approach; over $10,000; sentencing documents and burdens; plea colloquy; particularly serious crime; N-A-M-

Deng v. Garland, No. 22-3621 (8th Cir. Aug. 25, 2023)

    • CAT deferral; child soldier; South Sudan; hypothetical link in the chain; torture in prison; mental health

8/21/23

Intro

Matter of J-G-R-, 28 I&N Dec. 733 (BIA 2023)

    • CAT protection; under color of law; police uniforms; § 1983; official capacity; O-F-A-S-; Ninth Circuit difference

USA v. Campos, No. 21-3524 (8th Cir. Aug. 15, 2023)

    • controlled substance offense; Texas Health & Safety Code § 481.112; means vs. elements; attempted delivery; Ochoa-Salgado; federal attempt definition

Green v. Garland, No. 22-2335 (8th Cir. Aug. 16, 2023)

    • crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); Hobbs Act robbery; Taylor; § 212h) review notwithstanding Patel

Malik v. DHS, No. 22-10772 (5th Cir. Aug. 17, 2023)

    • with special guest Ira Kurzban!; border search; cell phone search; reasonable suspicion; injury

Kolov v. Garland, No. 22-3760 (6th Cir. Aug. 18, 2023)

    • jurisdiction; final order of removal; Nasrallah; reviewability; Guzman-Chavez; withholding-only proceedings; omissions; adverse credibility

Aguayo v. Garland, No. 20-9651 (10th Cir. Aug. 18, 2023)

    • termination; Matter of Garcia-Flores; prejudice; prolonged detention; egregious constitutional violation; regulatory violation

8/14/23

Helen Tarokic’s T-Visa training link!

Fonseca-Fonseca v. Garland, No. 20-71977 (9th Cir. Aug. 8, 2023)

    • prima facie standard; Coelho; L-O-G-; reasonable likelihood; motion to reopen

Garcia-Gonzalez v. Garland, No. 22-60501 (5th Cir. Aug. 7, 2023)

    • ineffective assistance of counsel motion to reopen; prima facie eligibility; prejudice; sua sponte reopening; family based particular social group
    • Sign Rekha’s Lozada Petition! https://bit.ly/3FlDGeZ

Yoc Esteban v. Garland, No. 22-1778 (1st Cir. Aug. 7, 2023)

    • ineffective assistance of counsel motion to reopen; prima facie eligibility; prejudice; failure to specific particular social group

Vila-Castro v. Garland, No. 21-2011 (1st Cir. Aug. 8, 2023)

    • unable or unwilling; acquiesce; police inaction; American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (“APRA”); Peru

Reyes-Corado v. Garland, No. 18-70225 (9th Cir. Aug. 11, 2023)

    • changed country condition motion to reopen; reliance on affidavits; Guatemalan Civil War; family dispute; no need to file new asylum application

Wojciechowicz v. Garland, No. 22-1086 (7th Cir. Aug. 8, 2023)

    • Governor’s pardon; inadmissibility; statute vs. FAM; ICE ignoring stay; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(vi)

USA v. Cheboss, No. 22-2617 (8th Cir. Aug. 11, 2023)

    • denaturalization; material misrepresentation; Maslenjak; materiality; INA § 101(f)(6); definition of testimony; false statement for someone else’s immigration benefit

USA v. Lopez, No. 21-12709 (11th Cir. Aug. 7, 2023)

    • categorical approach and conspiracy offenses; CIMT; denaturalization; conspiracy to commit money laundering; 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h); divisibility; overbroad Indictment; 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B); 18 U.S.C. § 1957; base vile or depraved even if deceit; Zarate

8/07/23

Mancia v. Garland, No. 22-1599 (1st Cir. Aug. 4, 2023)

    • NACARA; sua sponte motion to reopen; suspension of deportation; failure to depart with voluntary departure

Bazile v. Garland, No. 22-1767 (1st Cir. Aug. 4, 2023)

    • venue; Matter of Garcia; completed proceedings; CAT deferral; Lavalas; Haiti

Arostegui-Maldonado v. Garland, No. 22-9554 (10th Cir. Aug. 1, 2023)

    • CAT; under color of law; final order of removal; Nasrallah; reviewability; withholding-only proceedings; application of law to facts; mixed question of law and fact; de novo review; O-F-A-S-; Costa Rica

7/31/23

Chen v. Garland, No. 19-715 (2d Cir. July 25, 2023)

    • credibility; probative omission; trivial inconsistency; no requirement to list all persecution in asylum statement; supplemental rather than inconsistent; cultural context; totality of circumstances; de minimus inconsistency

Amador Duenas v. Garland, No. 18-71987 (9th Cir. July 27, 2023)

    • Constitutionality of BIA members; Appointments Clause; Principal Officers; Inferior Officers

Diaz Mejia v. Garland, No. 21-2088 (7th Cir. July 27, 2023)

    • failure to exhaust; waiver of argument

Cela v. Garland, No. 22-1322 (4th Cir. July 28, 2023)

    • INA § 209 adjustment of status; asylee vs. refugee; termination of asylum status; Chevron deference; Matter of T-C-A-; statutory interpretation

Bouarfa v. DHS, No. 22-12429 (11th Cir. July 28, 2023)

    • INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii); revocation of I-130 petition; INA § 204(c); discretion; jurisdiction

Clement v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-13382 (11th Cir. July 28, 2023)

    • forfeiture of judicial review; derivate citizenship; Equal Protection; final order; motion to withdraw appeal; Ng Fung Ho; waiver of constitutional right

Bekhbat v. Garland, No. 22-2379 (8th Cir. July 27, 2023)

    • motion to reconsider; administrative closure; automatic termination of voluntary departure

7/24/23

USA v. Rivera (3d Cir. July 19, 2023)

    • federal definition of marijuana; hemp

Martinez v. Clark, et al., No. 21-35023 (9th Cir. May 30, 2023)

    • detention; dangerousness; jurisdiction; INA § 236

De Leon Resendiz v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. 21-2211 (4th Cir. July 10, 2023)

    • 42 U.S.C. § 1981; discrimination; DACA; temporary employment; alienage

07/20/23


Links!

7/17/23

Chicas-Machado v. Garland, No. 21-1381 (4th Cir. July 13, 2023)

    • nexus; religion; evangelical Christian; OIL concession re: unable or unwilling to control MS-13; El Salvador

Trejo Tepas v. Garland, No. 22-1049 (4th Cir. July 10, 2023)

    • pro se asylum; Quintero; claims processing and exhaustion; unaccompanied minor; Santos-Zacaria; gang violence; El Salvador

Santos Garcia v. Garland, No. 22-1463 (4th Cir. July 11, 2023)

    • family based particular social group; gender; beyond nuclear family; Mara 18; Rodriguez-Arias v. Whitaker and J-F-F-; causal chain; El Salvador

Lazo-Gavidia v. Garland, No. 20-2306 (4th Cir. July 12, 2023)

    • deficient NTA in absentia motion to reopen; INA § 239(a); failure to update address; presumption of delivery; issue exhaustion

Sanchez v. Garland, No. 22-1815 (1st Cir. July 14, 2023)

    • nexus; particular social group; wealthy Salvadoran businessmen; family; extortion

Argueta-Hernandez v. Garland, No. 22-60307 (5th Cir. July 10, 2023)

    • untimely petition for review; withholding; final order; Bhaktibhai-Patel; Nasrallah

Arroyo-Sosa v. Garland, No. 22-1334 (8th Cir. July 13, 2023)

    • motion to reopen; reconsider; Coelho vs L-O-G-; asylum

Thok v. Garland, No. 22-2508 (8th Cir. July 13, 2023)

    • Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-511.01; shoplifting; aggravated felony theft; § 101(a)(43)(G); appropriate; deprive; mens rea

Paucar v. Garland, No. 21-6043 (2d Cir. July 12, 2023)

    • ineffective assistance of counsel; Patel; prejudice; prima facie; reasonable probability; presumption that children will join parents; U visa; Sanchez Sosa; remand; Coelho

7/10/23

Ullah v. Garland, No. 22-1026 (4th Cir. July 6, 2023)

    • reasonable relocation; for the rest of one’s life standard; remand for a grant of asylum; family members left behind; Pro-American imputed political opinion; DHS burden; Pakistani Taliban; Pakistan

Chen v. Garland, No. 21-1371 (4th Cir. July 6, 2023)

    • corroboration; reasonableness of obtaining evidence; Wambura; threshold determination; otherwise credible; L-A-C-; one-year asylum deadline; changed circumstances; failure to consider evidence; State Department Reports; House Church; Christian; China

Osorio-Morales v. Garland, No. 22-2909 (7th Cir. July 5, 2023)

    • unable or unwilling; family violence; failure to report to police; police investigation; systemic failure to protect; Honduras

Uriostegui-Teran v. Garland, No. 22-2472 (8th Cir. July 6, 2023)

    • particularity; social distinction; particular social group; family group; ranchers; Mexico; willful blindness

Circuit Housekeeping

    • Ninth (Mendoza Linares v. Garland) and Eleventh Circuits

United States v. Lung’aho, No. 22-3168 (8th Cir. July 6, 2023) and Janis v. United States, No. 22-2471 (8th Cir. July 6, 2023)

    • crime of violence; arson; maliciously; malice; more than recklessness; post-Borden; mens rea; murder; malice aforethought; extreme recklessness

Madrid-Mancia v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2291 (3d Cir. July 3, 2023)

    • deficient NTA in absentia motion to reopen; § 239(a); use of the word or; follow up notice of hearing; statutory interpretation; statute as a whole; failure to update address

7/03/23

United States v. Hansen, No. 22-179 (U.S. June 23, 2023)

    • 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv); First Amendment; freedom of speech; facial challenge; criminal solicitation; criminal facilitation

Flores v. Garland, No. 22-20419 (5th Cir. June 23, 2023)

    • EB-2A; National Interest Waiver; I-140 Petitions; Matter of Dhanasar; INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(2)

Cui v. Garland, No. 22-2177 (7th Cir. June 16, 2023)

    • Adverse credibility; INA § 101(a)(42)(B); asylum; forced sterilization and abortion

Brizuela v. Garland, No. 22-1738 (8th Cir. June 27, 2023)

    • Due process; humanitarian parole; continuance; termination; past persecution; threats; Matter of Y-S-L-C; psychological harm; persecutory conduct

Din v. Garland, No. 21-6586 (2d Cir. June 30, 2023)

    • Frivolous asylum application; notice requirement for frivolousness; INA § 208(d)(6); INA § 208(a)(2)(B); INA § 208(d)(4)(A); Matter of Y-L-; 8 C.F.R. § 1208.20(2008); 8 C.F.R. § 1208.3(c)(2); adjustment of status; INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(i); discretion; INA § 212(a)(9)B)(i)(II); INA § 212(i)(1); 8 C.F.R. § 1240.12(c)

Park v. Garland, No. 21-70623 (9th Cir. June 29, 2023)

    • Particularly serious crime; CHSC §§ 11370.1(a), 11351, 11352(a); Matter of Y-L-; withholding of removal; Protection under the Convention Against Torture; Chenery doctrine; torture; 8 C.F.R. § 1208.18(a)(3); lawful sanctions, prosecution, or punishment as torture; South Korea.

Ramirez Munoz v. Garland, No. 21-70431 (9th Cir. June 26, 2023)

    • INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(ii)(I); false claim to U.S. citizenship; inadmissibility; Matter of Richmond; adjustment of status

6/26/23

United States v. Texas, No. 22-58 (U.S. June 23, 2023)

    • State standing to challenge Executive action; prosecutorial discretion; redressability; historical analysis

Pugin v. Garland, No. 22-23 (U.S. June 22, 2023)

    • relating to obstruction of justice; INA § 101(a)(43)(S); aggravated felony; relating to; dictionaries; Congressional intent

Figueroa Ochoa v. Garland, No. 20-72510 (9th Cir. June 20, 2023)

    • INA 242(a)(2)(B)(i); Patel; non-LPR cancellation; vacated conviction; continuance; question of fact; Kucana; motion to remand

Giron-Molina v. Garland, No. 22-6243 (2d Cir. June 20, 2023)

    • CIMT; Arkansas Code Ann. § 5-60-101; reprehensible conduct; abuse of a corpse; realistic probability test; divisibility

A.G. v. Garland, No. 22-1499 (4th Cir. June 23, 2023)

    • nexus; family membership; extortion; gang recruitment; harm to applicant rather than family; ignoring testimony; revenge killing; CAT; failure to report to police; MS-13; El Salvador

Farnum v. Garland, No. 22-9526 (10th Cir. June 21, 2023)

    • frivolous asylum filing; INA § 208(d)(6); 8 C.F.R. § 1208.20(a); regulatory interpretation; final agency decision

6/19/23

Dubin v. United States, No. 22-10 (U.S. June 12, 2023)

    • identity theft; use; in relation to; statutory titles; “aggravated”; statutory interpretation; over-criminalization

Odei v. Garland, No. 21-1315 (1st Cir. June 15, 2023)

    • denial of freedom; withholding of removal; nexus; taking land; Chieftain; Ghana

Alexandre-Matias v. Garland, No. 21-60798 (5th Cir. June 13, 2023)

    • in absentia motion to reopen; due process; I-213; failure to file NTA; claims processing rule

Medina Carreon v. Garland, No. 21-60391 (5th Cir. June 15, 2023)

    • temporary BIA member; ultra vires; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(a)(4); improper appointment of Acting Attorney General; cock fighting; good moral character; Castillo Perez

Medley v. Garland, No. 20-3079 (2d Cir. June 15, 2023)

    • ICE arrest; egregious regulatory or constitutional violation; termination with prejudice where removability established

King v. Garland, No. 22-2166 (8th Cir. June 14, 2023)

    • INA § 212(h) waiver; jurisdiction; reweighing evidence; Patel

Zongo v. Garland, No. 21-3847 (8th Cir. June 16, 2023)

    • credibility; affidavit inconsistencies; Burkina Faso; exhaustion

Rincon Barbosa v. Garland, No. 22-1655 (8th Cir. June 14, 2023)

    • divisibility; modified categorical approach; jury instructions; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-5706(a); same punishment; Kansas definition of methamphetamine

6/12/23

USA v. Laines (CA11)

    • Chamu; isomer

Koonwaiyou v. Blinken, No. 22-35233 (9th Cir. June 7, 2023)

    • Nationals; American Samoa; 8 U.S.C. § 1408; uncodified statutes; legislative intent; temporarily limiting language; presumption against retroactivity

Rodriguez-Zuniga v. Garland, No. 19-72024 (9th Cir. June 7, 2023)

    • extortion plus; asylum; Ayala; Guatemalan women; nexus; robbery; gang

Arizmendi-Medina v. Garland, No. 21-298 (9th Cir. June 7, 2023)

    • due process; asylum filing deadlines; window filing; continuance; abuse of discretion

Zhovtonizhko v. Garland, No. 21-584 (9th Cir. June 7, 2023)

    • Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.024; CIMT; Ruiz-Lopez; attempting to elude police; reckless manner

Ponce v. Garland, No. 21-60530 (5th Cir. June 9, 2023)

    • Tex. Pen. Code § 22.04(a); injury to a child; crime of child abuse; realistic probability

Pacheco-Moran v. Garland, No. 21-3779 (8th Cir. June 5, 2023)

    • asylum; one year deadline; married gay men in Mexico; INA § 208(a)(3); Guerrero-Lasprilla; anti-Catholic; continuance; U-visa certification

6/05/23

Portillo v. DHS, No. 22-1383 (1st Cir. May 30, 2023)

    • firearms offense; INA § 237(a)(2)(C); defacing or receiving a firearm with a defaced serial number in violation of Mass. Gen. Law ch. 269, § 11C; realistic probability test; affirmative defense

Khan v. Garland, No. 21-60146 (5th Cir. May 30, 2023)

    • receipt of stole property; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3925(a); mens rea; use of the word alien

Granados Arias v. Garland, No. 22-2148 (7th Cir. May 31, 2023)

    • extortion; well-founded fear; nexus; nexus for withholding; harmless error; family living safely in country; Mara 18; El Salvador

Salgado v. Garland, No. 21-1864 (4th Cir. May 31, 2023)

    • untimely petition for review; final order of removal; finality of decision when matter is remanded for consideration of voluntary departure; 30 day jurisdictional requirement

Nivelo Cardenas v. Garland, No. 20-60778 (5th Cir. June 2, 2023)

    • deficient NTA; no-notice motion to reopen; in absentia; misspelled address; challenging presumption of regularity; rule of orderliness with deference to panel decisions; government misrepresentation in NTA

5/29/23

Patron Shout Out!, USA v. Brooks (CA10), and § 1326 (CA 9)

    • crime of violence; Oklahoma assault and battery; § 1326 totes not racist

Matter of Pougatchev, 28 I&N Dec. 719 (BIA 2023)

    • aggravated felony; theft or burglary offense under INA § 101(a)(43)(G); crime of violence under INA § 101(a)(43)(F); second degree burglary in violation of N.Y. Penal Law § 140.25(1)(d); means vs. elements; building; inherent violence; BIA deciding legal issue undecided by IJ; display a weapon

5/22/23

Mukantagara v. DHS, No. 21-4144 (10th Cir May 16, 2023)

    • Zipper Clause; INA § 242(b)(9); termination of asylum status; Rwanda genocide

USA v. Harris, No. 17-1861 (3d Cir. May 17, 2023) and USA v. Jenkins, No. 18-2222 (3d Cir. May 18, 2023)

    • Borden; recklessness; omission; violent force; first degree aggravated assault; robbery; Pennsylvania; 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2702(a)(1); second-degree aggravated assault of a protected individual in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2702(a)(3); realistic probability test

Ruiz v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 22-10445 (11th Cir. May 18, 2023)

    • VAWA cancellation of removal; definition of extreme cruelty; Patel; reviewable hardship determination; no requirement for physical abuse; INA § 103(a)(1); quintessential question of law

5/15/23

Santos-Zacaria v. Garland, No. 21-1436 (U.S. May 11, 2023)

    • exhaustion of administrative remedies; INA § 242(d)(1); jurisdiction; statutory scheme as a whole; Congressional language in the INA; claims processing rule; remedy of right

Banuelos-Jimenez v. Garland, No. 23-0097 (6th Cir. May 10, 2023)

    • crime of violence; Borden; threatened use of force; apprehension of imminent physical injury; third-degree assault on a family or household member, Ark. Code Ann. § 5-26-309; state legislative intent

Ishmael v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2563 (3d Cir. May 11, 2023)

    • visa waiver program; reopened asylum only proceedings; terminating asylum status; entrance into the U.S. as an asylee

Mendez Esteban v. Garland, No. 22-1215 (1st Cir. May 11, 2023)

    • DHS burden to establish fundamental change in circumstances; persuasiveness of State Department report; power of political party when not in power; local government; asylum; “generally free and fair”; family members living safely; Lider party; Guatemala

5/8/23

Matter of Morales-Morales, 28 I&N Dec. 714 (BIA 2023)

    • 8 C.F.R. § 1003.38(c); Matter of Liadov; untimely notice of appeal; claims processing rule; equitable tolling

Rangel Perez v. Garland, No. 22-60074 (5th Cir. May 2, 2023)

    • Patel; non-LPR cancellation of removal; hardship review; motion to remand; application of legal standard to undisputed facts

Oxlaj v. Garland, No. 22-1734 (8th Cir. May 3, 2023)

    • particular social group; particularity; social distinction; witnesses who cooperate with law enforcement; Guatemala

Turcios-Flores v. Garland, No. 22-3325 (6th Cir. May 5, 2023)

    • particular social group; immutability; Honduran landownership; fundamental characteristic; single mothers in Honduras; social distinction; police protection; BIA cleaning up factual finding of IJ; one central reason vs. A reason; nexus; extortion; Honduran government

5/1/23

Matter of Cancinos-Mancio, 28 I&N Dec. 708 (BIA 2023)

    • modified categorical approach; reviewable documents; plea colloquy; crime of violence; Ariz. Rev. State § 13-1204(A)(2)

Cortez-Amador v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 22-1249 (3d Cir. Apr. 25, 2023)

    • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status; SIJS; INA § 245(h); admission or parole; Patel; jurisdiction; death threats; Guatemala

Reese v. Garland, No. 22-6011 (5th Cir. Apr. 24, 2023)

    • visa fraud; 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a); INA § 237(a)(1)(H) waiver; INA § 237(a)(3)(B)(iii); due process; family unity

Caldera-Torres v. Garland, No. 22-2282 (7th Cir. Apr. 27, 2023)

    • crime of domestic violence; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); Wis. Stat. § 940.19(1); circumstance specific approach; Pereida; domestic abuse surcharge; burdens

Somers v. USA, No. 19-1484 (11th Cir. Apr. 25, 2023)

    • Borden; crime of violence; recklessness; Fla. Stat. § 784.021; Fla. St. 784.011(1); violent force; Florida Supreme Court decisions

Kerr v. Garland, No. 21-2074 (4th Cir. Apr. 24, 2023)

    • CAT; aggregate risk of torture; compounding effect of harms; LGBTQ; former gang members; Jamaica

Kerr v. Garland, No. 21-2074 (4th Cir. Apr. 24, 2023)

    • CAT; aggregate risk of torture; compounding effect of harms; LGBTQ; former gang members; Jamaica

Santos Garcia v. Garland, No. 22-1535 (1st Cir. Apr. 28, 2023)

    • asylum; persecution; death threats; Lider Party; Guatemala

Sharma v. Garland, No. 22-1496 (1st Cir. Apr. 28, 2023)

    • derivative citizenship; former INA § 321(a); objective manifestation; Zombie Precedent; Nwozuzu; Cheneau

4/24/23

Sign Rekha Sharma-Crawford’s Matter of Lozada petition!

Hernandez v. Jaddou, No. 22-20325 (5th Cir. Apr. 16, 2023)

    • TPS; arriving alien; advance parole; USCIS jurisdiction; Pate

Hernandez v. Garland, No. 19-2044 (2d Cir. Apr. 21, 2023)

    • cancellation of removal; criminal convictions; BIA administrative notice of facts not reasonably in dispute; de novo review of discretion; BIA statements regarding standard of review

4/17/23

Malets v. Garland, No. 19-4216 (2d Cir. Apr. 14, 2023)

    • credibility; Matter of Y-I-M-; corroboration; Zombie Precedent; remand despite deference; omissions; fraudulent passports and asylum; trivial inconsistency; immaterial inconsistency; IJ characterization of inconsistency; live testimony; Ukraine

Mejia Vega v. USCIS, et al., No. 16-56795 (9th Cir. Apr. 14, 2023)

    • U visa waivers; federal court jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii); discretionary determinations; INA § 212(d)(3)(A)(ii); Kucana; FRCP 12(b)(1); Matter of Hranka

Doyduk v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-3333 (3d Cir. Apr. 14, 2023)

    • expungement; discretion; 18 Pa. C.S. § 9122(a)(1); legal challenge; Patel; discretion; adjustment of status; Matter of Arreguin; arrest reports; use of the word “the”

Alzaben v. Garland, No. 22-1561 (1st Cir. Apr. 14, 2023)

    • conditional LPR; waiver of joint filing requirement; bonafide marriage; Patel; discretion; mixed question of law and fact; infidelity

City of South Miami v. Florida Immigrant Coalition, Inc., et al., No. 21-13657 (11th Cir. Apr. 13, 2023)

    • organizational standing; Ron DeSantis immigration policies; concrete injury

4/10/23

Ayanian v. Garland, No. 16-70809 (9th Cir. Apr. 3, 2023)

    • motion to reopen; stay of appellate proceedings; mediation; adjustment of status and immigration process; preference categories; Armenia

Andrade-Prado, Jr. v. Garland, No. 20-1913 (1st Cir. Apr. 4, 2023)

    • aggravated felony; foreign conviction; fundamental fairness; travesty of justice; hearsay; particularly serious crime; biased judges; Brazil

United States v. Henderson, No. 18-1894 (3rd Cir. Mar. 29, 2023)

    • Pennsylvania robbery; mens rea; violent force; conspiracy; crime of violence

Tobar v. Garland, No. 21-60875 (5th Cir. Apr. 7, 2023)

    • TPS; brief, casual, and innocent trip abroad; continuous residence; short duration; 8 C.F.R. § 1244.1

Elldakli v. Garland, No. 22-20344 (5th Cir. Apr. 4, 2023)

    • APA; Declaratory Judgment Act; Patel; jurisdiction; adjustment of status; final agency action; exhaustion of administrative remedies

Ponce Flores v. Garland, No. 21-10600 (11th Cir. Apr. 5, 2023)

    • motion to remand; Patel; ineffective assistance of counsel; Lozada; due process right to discretionary relief; right to counsel

4/03/23

Nkenglefac v. Garland, No. 19-60647 (5th Cir. Mar. 28, 2023)

    • Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA); substantially justified; evidence not in record; adverse credibility; paralegal fees

Garcia v. Garland, No. 20-1641 (2d Cir. Mar. 31, 2023)

    • administrative closure; deference to the Attorney General; Castro-Tum; Cruz Valdez; regulatory interpretation; ambiguity; retroactive effect

United States v. Williams, No. 20-7131 (4th Cir. Mar. 27, 2023)

    • crime of violence; sodomy-threat theory; Va. Code § 18.2-58; deference to state supreme court; U.S. v. Eldridge (CA2); kidnapping in violation of N.Y. Pen. Law § 135.20; USA v. Huerta-Rodriguez (CA5); INA § 101(a)(43)(O)

Khalulyan v. Garland, No. 21-70909 (9th Cir. Mar. 30, 2023)

    • INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); § 101(a)(43)(U); loss over $10,000; sentence enhancement consideration; 18 U.S.C. § 1029(b)(2); credit card skimming; circumstance specific; conspiracy; potential loss; restitution

Al-Adily v. Garland, No. 22-3432 (6th Cir. Mar. 30, 2023)

    • Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.362a(3)(a); INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); loss over $10,000; restitution in Michigan ; circumstance specific; clear and convincing evidence; rental car agreement; punishment

Alfred v. Garland, No. 19-72903 (9th Cir. Mar. 30, 2023) (en banc)

    • U.S. v. Valdivia Flores; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); categorical approach; federal generic accomplice liability; robbery in violation of Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.190; state survey; Duenas-Alvarez; example of indivisible mens rea

3/29/23

All about Ilyce Shugall:

3/27/23

Matter of Garcia, 28 I&N Dec. 693 (BIA 2023)

    • venue; forum; choice of law; Auer; regulatory interpretation; INA § 242(b)(2); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.14(a); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.20(a); hardship challenge; arbitrary and capricious; comparing hardship case to other cases

U.S. v. Alas, No. 22-4193 (4th Cir. Mar. 24, 2023)

    • illegal reentry; 8 U.S.C. § 1326; malicious wounding in violation of VA Code § 18.2-51; statute of limitations; § 287(g) agreements; challenging state court police immigration arrest; aggravated felony crime of violence; Borden

3/20/23

Abuzeid v. Mayorkas, No. 21-5002 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 17, 2023)

    • Patel; jurisdiction to review APA challenge of USCIS adjustment of status denial

Kong v. U.S., No. 21-1319 (1st Cir. Mar. 15, 2023)

    • Federal Tort Claims Act; FTCA; unlawful detention; repatriation agreement; INA § 242(g); habeas; Reno v. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; reasonably foreseeable; 8 C.F.R. § 241.13(i)(2); Cambodia

Garcia-Pascual v. Garland, No. 20-2529 (8th Cir. Mar. 14, 2023)

    • non-LPR cancellation; hardship; Patel; mixed question of law and fact

USA v. Heard, No. 22-1380 (8th Cir. Mar. 16, 2023)

    • MDMA; overbroad controlled substance; Minnesota Rules, pt 6800.4210; isomers; realistic probability test

Gutierrez-Alm v. Garland, No. 17-71012 (9th Cir. Mar. 15, 2023)

    • deficient Order to Show Cause; suspension; stop-time rule; withholding, CAT protection; family members of political dissidents; suspected gang members; social distinction; Sandinista; Nicaragua

Umana-Escobar v. Garland, No. 19-70964 (9th Cir. Mar. 17, 2023)

    • de novo; questions of law; nexus; administrative closure; family members hiding

3/13/23

USA v. Morris, No. 16-6-cr (2d Cir. Mar. 7, 2023)

    • Hobbs Act robbery; 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(A); crime of violence; attempt; 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3); N.Y. Penal Law § 120.05(2); N.Y. Penal Law § 120.10(1); VICAR assault; violent force; factual bases for plea in New York and Connecticut; categorical approach

3/13/23

USA v. Morris, No. 16-6-cr (2d Cir. Mar. 7, 2023)

    • Hobbs Act robbery; 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(A); crime of violence; attempt; 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3); N.Y. Penal Law § 120.05(2); N.Y. Penal Law § 120.10(1); VICAR assault; violent force; factual bases for plea in New York and Connecticut; categorical approach

3/06/23

AILA v. EOIR!

    • WebEx hearings

Zamaro-Silverio v. Garland, No. 21-60324 (5th Cir. Feb. 23, 2023)

    • CIMT; Texas Transportation Code § 550.021; Mathis; hit and run; Garcia-Maldonado v. Gonzales; implicit overrule of precedent; overbreadth based on statutory text alone

Ayala Chapa v. Garland, No. 21-60039 (5th Cir. Feb. 20, 2023)

    • non-LPR cancellation; jurisdiction; Patel standards for discretion; temporary BIA member; Santos Zacaria; procedural error; weighing of facts; reconsideration requirement

Rodriguez Gonzalez v. Garland, No. 22-60091 (5th Cir. Mar. 3, 2023)

    • Texas aggravated robbery under Texas Penal Code § 29.03(a)(2); aggravated felony theft offense; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); crime of violence; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); CAT deferral; corrupt police; Mexico

3/2/23

Capital Good Fund Information:

2/27/23

Harbin v. Sessions, 860 F.3d 58 (2d Cir. 2017)

    • drug trafficking aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); categorical approach; divisibility; NYPL § 220.31; controlled substance list; NYPL § 220.00(5); criminal sentence; double jeopardy; jury instructions as last resort; “specify”

USA v. Brasby, No. 21-1537 (3d Cir. Feb. 23, 2023)

    • N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:12-1(b)(1); extreme recklessness; crime of violence; Borden; mens rea divisibility in New Jersey; multidistrict analysis

2/20/23

Matter of Duarte-Gonzalez, 28 I&N Dec. 688 (BIA 2023)

    • unlawful presence; 10-year bar; INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(i)(II); statutory construction; negative inference

Ren, et al. v. USCIS, No. 21-1661 (4th Cir. Feb. 14, 2023)

    • EB-1C; executive or manager; evidentiary burden of proof; degree of managerial or executive tasks; daily responsibilities; Patel

Britkovyy v. Mayorkas, No. 21-3160 (7th Cir. Feb. 17, 2023)

    • district court jurisdiction to review adjustment of status denial; APA; Patel; presumption of reviewability; legislative intent; statute over regulation

Lopez v. Garland, No. 20-71956 (9th Cir. Feb. 16, 2023)

    • cross-appeals; waiver of appeal

USA v. Alvarez, No. 21-50088 (9th Cir. Feb. 16, 2023)

    • crime of violence; categorical approach and attempt; felonious assault on a peace officer in violation of Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.13(A); Palomar-Santiago; fundamental fairness; § 1326; Valdivia Flores; Door; knowledge; de minimis contact; force capable of causing physical pain or injury; Castleman; Stokeling

Serra v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-10471 (11th Cir. Feb. 15, 2023)

    • credibility; insignificant inconsistencies; asylum; credible fear interview transcript; timing of kidney stone; approximation; guessing; number of countries traveled through; persecution through prosecution; Cuba

2/13/23

Hernandez-Martinez v. Garland, No. 21-1448 (1st Cir. Feb. 2, 2023)

    • CAT; torture definition; single act; single incident; business owners in Guatemala who have high profit; severity of harm

Aguilar-Escoto v. Garland, No. 18-1590 (1st Cir. Feb. 7, 2023)

    • withholding of removal notwithstanding adverse credibility finding; corroboration; failure to consider evidence; domestic violence; Honduras; de novo review of past persecution; Patel

Barnica-Lopez v. Garland, No. 21-1313 (1st Cir. Feb. 8, 2023)

    • nexus; one central reason; family membership; revenge; W-Y-C- & H-O-B-; Honduras

Barnica-Lopez v. Garland, No. 21-1313 (1st Cir. Feb. 8, 2023)

    • nexus; one central reason; family membership; revenge; W-Y-C- & H-O-B-; Honduras

Matter of J-L-L-, 28 I&N Dec. 684 (BIA 2023)

    • deficient case initiating document; Form I-122; exclusion; Niz-Chavez and Pereira; non-LPR cancellation of removal

Adjei v. Mayorkas, No. 21-1615 (4th Cir. Feb. 7, 2023)

    • Virginia divorce law; domicile in foreign country; Ghana marriage and divorce law; comity; Full Faith and Credit

Mohndamenang v. Garland, No. 21-60380 (5th Cir. Feb. 6, 2023)

    • corroboration; Matter of L-A-C-; affidavits; Cameroon

Hernandez v. Garland, No. 22-3120 (6th Cir. Feb. 6, 2023)

    • good moral character; Patel; Guerro Lasprilla; weighing evidence; mixed question of law and fact; non-LPR cancellation; DUI; Castillo-Perez

Hernandez v. Garland, No. 22-3120 (6th Cir. Feb. 6, 2023)

    • good moral character; Patel; Guerro Lasprilla; weighing evidence; mixed question of law and fact; non-LPR cancellation; DUI; Castillo-Perez

Islas-Saldana v. Garland, No. 22-1366 (8th Cir. Feb. 7, 2023)

    • motion to reconsider; administrative closure; abuse of discretion

Aguilar Montecinos v. Garland, No. 21-2333 (8th Cir. Feb. 10, 2023)

    • nexus; fear of gangs; power of MS-13; extortion as persecution; Honduras; Chenery ; harmless error

2/06/23

Supreme Court 2023 Term Rundown

    • United States v. Helaman Hansen
    • Arizona v. Mayorkas
    • Santos Zacaria v. Garland
    • U.S. v. Texas
    • Pugin v. Garland
    • Dubin v. U.S.

1/30/23


Saban-Cach v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2378 (3d Cir. Jan. 25, 2023)

    • past persecution; failure to seek medical care; physical injury; cumulative effect of harm; minors; Kaqchikel Mayan; reasonable relocation for indigenous individuals; threats; standards of review for withholding and CAT; police and gangs; Patel; Guatemala

Cruz‐Velasco v. Garland, No. 21-1642 (7th Cir. Jan. 24, 2023)

    • good moral character; Matter of Castillo-Perez; DUI; undisputed issues of fact; Patel; non-LPR cancellation of removal; ability to review refusal to reopen sua sponte

Debique v. Garland, No. 21-6208 (2d Cir. Jan. 27, 2023)

    • sexual abuse in the second degree under N.Y. Penal Law § 130.60(2); sexual abuse of a minor aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(A); Chevron deference; sexual contact; age of the victim; Esquivel Quintana

Lemus-Coronado v. Garland, No. 22-1015 (8th Cir. Jan. 23, 2023)

    • asylum; particular social groups; witnesses who cooperate with law enforcement; gangs; public testimony; Matter of H-L-S-A-; social distinction; formal legislation; Guatemala

Cristobal Antonio v. Garland, No. 21-70624 (9th Cir. Jan. 26, 2023)

    • past persecution; threats; near confrontation; near violence; no requirement for severe injury; subjective suffering; decision to flee to the U.S.; imputed particular social group; women in Guatemala perceived to be lesbian; absence of evidence; unable or unwilling to protect; imputed sexual orientation

1/23/23


Death of a Roman (times, new)

Singh v. Garland, No. 19-2910 (2d Cir. Jan. 19, 2023)

    • INA § 101(a)(43)(U); INA § 101(a)(43)(F); aggravated felony crimes of violence; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); attempted first-degree assault in violation of N.Y. Pen. L. §§ 110.00, 120.10(1); violent force; requesting publication

1/16/23


Matter of Chen, 28 I&N Dec. 676 (BIA 2023)

    • deficient NTA; plain language; stop-time rule; final order of removal; prima facie showing; fundamental change in law – Niz Chavez

USA v. Amintobia, No. 20-50039 (9th Cir. Jan. 11, 2023)

    • knowingly procuring or attempting to procure naturalization; Maslenjak; asylum fraud; false statements; materiality; predictably have disclosed; lawfully admitted for permanent residence; INA § 101(a)(20); 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a); 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a); German asylum

Reyes-Ramos v. Garland, No. 18-1830 (1st Cir. Jan. 13, 2023)

    • jurisdiction to review no reasonable fear findings; OIL concession; standard of review; fear of gangs; MS-13 recruitment; particular social group; persons against whom MS-13 retaliates for failure to join; El Salvador

USA v. Harrison, No. 21-14514 (11th Cir. Jan. 10, 2023)

    • O.C.G.A. § 16-8-40; crime of violence; robbery; sudden snatching; divisibility; use of the word “or,” “includes,” or “such as”; comparison to similar statutes; jury instructions; same punishment; lesser included offense

1/09/23


Celebrating listener success!

Porosh v. Garland, No. 22-1781 (7th Cir. Jan. 5, 2023)

    • credibility; asylum; immigration fraud; procedural deviations; testifying by reading from a piece of paper; lack of detail in testimony; reviewing IJ and BIA decisions; Jamaat; Bangladesh

Salazar v. Garland, No. 21-1967 (4th Cir. Jan. 3, 2023)

    • identity theft; Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-186.3(A)(2); CIMT; intent to defraud; harm; old BIA precedent; three member BIA panel; CA5 – Cargill v. Garland and Rule of Lenity

1/02/23


Alvarez-Gomez v. Garland, No. 21-2279 (8th Cir. Dec. 28, 2022)

    • mental health; Matter of M-A-M- safeguards; jurisdiction; findings of fact for withholding of removal; Nasrallah; fear of gangs; CAT protection; police acquiescence to gang violence; low level official; relocation; El Salvador

United States v. Myers, No. 21-3443 (8th Cir. Dec. 29, 2022)

    • cocaine isomers; realistic probability test; Missouri Rev. Stat. § 195.211 (2003)

Perez-Portillo v. Garland, No. 20-73486 (9th Cir. Dec. 30, 2022)

    • in absentia motion to reopen; no notice; presumption of delivery; Matter of G-Y-R-; lack of affidavit for pro se noncitizen; Matter of M-R-A-; diligence

Robinson v. Garland, No. 20-1807 (1st Cir. Dec. 28, 2022)

    • derivative citizenship; former INA § 321(a)

Jimenez-Portillo v. Garland, No. 21-1117 (1st Cir. Dec. 27, 2022)

    • nexus; family membership; asylum; substantial evidence review; Mara 18; El Salvador

12/26/22


Gebrgzabher v. Garland, No. 21-60223 (5th Cir. Dec. 19, 2022)

    • persecutor bar to asylum; assisted, or otherwise participated in persecution; Matter of DR-; military guard; Eritrea

Edwards v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-15077 (11th Cir. Dec. 23, 2022)

    • sentence modification; Matter of Thomas and Thompson; retroactivity; reasonableness; Georgia family violence battery in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1; term of imprisonment; INA § 101(a)(48); jurisdiction; findings of fact for withholding of removal; Nasrallah; Malu

12/19/22


Training: Is This a T Visa? with Helen Tarokic – January 27, 2023 from 9:30am to 10:30am EST

Salguero Sosa v. Garland, No. 19-70961 (9th Cir. Dec. 16, 2022)

    • cumulative effect of harm for past persecution; dwarf; dwarfism; political opinion; nexus standard for withholding of removal; Guatemala

Escobar v. Garland, No. 22-1249 (8th Cir. Dec. 15, 2022)

    • alienage; inconsistencies in DHS evidence; burdens; inconsistent birth certificate; schizophrenia; CAT; mental health facility; Honduras

Platero-Rosales v. Garland, No. 20-60707 (5th Cir. Dec. 15, 2022)

    • deficient NTA in absentia motion to reopen; failure to provide address; Rodriguez; failure to read NTA in Spanish; Spagnol-Bastos

12/12/22


Hasan-Nayem v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-12402 (11th Cir. Dec. 7, 2022)

    • credibility; inconsistencies; omissions, demeanor; memorizing testimony; evasiveness; asylum; Liberal Democratic Party; Awami League; Bangladesh

Matter of Mariscal-Hernandez, 28 I&N Dec. 666 (BIA Dec. 9, 2022)

    • suppression; Fourth Amendment; egregious violation; Matter of Barcenas; termination; Pereira; I-213; probative evidence; INA § 287; 8 C.F.R. § 287

Diaz-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 13-73719 (9th Cir. Dec. 8, 2022) (en banc)

    • Cal. Penal Code § 273a(a); crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); categorical approach; statutory interpretation; agency deference; Chevron.

12/05/22


Sign Rekha Sharma-Crawford’s Matter of Lozada petition!

Matter of K. Gupta, 28 I&N Dec. 653 (BIA 2022)

    • attorney suspension; disbarment; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.107; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.102(f)(1); American Bar Association standards; challenging Lozada

Matter of Triana, 28 I&N Dec. 659 (BIA 2022)

    • INA § 245(i); meritorious in fact; approvable when filed; erroneous approval

Song v. Garland, No. 18-2496 (4th Cir. Dec. 1, 2022)

    • K-1 fiancé visa; affidavit of support; conditional permanent residence; I-864; Matter of Song; Chevron deference; Auer deference

Alexander-Mendoza v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2322 (3d Cir. Dec. 2, 2022)

    • knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of appeal; right to appeal; pro se; substantial evidence; motion to reconsider; fundamental fairness

Hammerschmidt v. Garland, No. 21-60462 (5th Cir. Nov. 18, 2022)

    • particularly serious crime for withholding of removal; INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); amount of loss; restitution order; joint and several liability; fraud crimes

Eneugwu v. Garland, No. 20-61162 (5th Cir. Dec. 1, 2022)

    • ineffective assistance of counsel motion to reopen; equitable tolling; biometrics requirement; sua sponte jurisdiction

11/28/22


Garcia-Aranda v. Garland, No. 18-2281 (2d Cir. Nov. 21, 2022)

    • asylum; CAT; family membership; under color of law; public official; corrupt police; Mara 18; Honduras

Gonzalez Aquino v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-3317 (3d Cir. Nov. 22, 2022)

    • regulatory violation; fundamental right; prejudice; harmless error; exhaustion (low bar); CAT; Dominican Republic

Adongafac v. Garland, No. 21-1800 (8th Cir. Nov. 21, 2022)

    • venue; asylum; past persecution; corroboration; objective evidence; opportunity to explain; Anglophone Cameroon

Gonzalez-Rivas v. Garland, No. 21-3364 (8th Cir. Nov. 23, 2022)

    • Patel; jurisdiction; Guerrero Lasprilla; hardship standard; best interests of the child; mixed question of law and fact

Rodriguez Diaz v. Garland, et al., No. 20-16245 (9th Cir. Nov. 21, 2022)

    • detention; due process; INA § 236(a); Jennings v. Rodriguez; history of immigration detention in the Ninth Circuit; burdens; Matthews Test; detention post final order of removal

11/21/22


Matter of Coronado Acevedo, 28 I&N Dec. 648 (A.G. 2022)

    • termination; Matter of S-O-G- & -F-D-B-; notice and comment rulemaking

Llanas-Trejo v. Garland, No. 21-3770 (8th Cir. Nov. 16, 2022)

    • non-LPR cancellation of removal; good moral character; multiple DUIs; Matter of Cartillo-Perez; presumption; hardship to non-qualifying relative; motion to reopen; Patel

Santos-De Jimenez v. Garland, No. 21-1496 (4th Cir. Nov. 15, 2022)

    • petition for review; INA § 242(b)(1); Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 26(c); filing deadline

Williams v. Garland, No. 20-1854 (4th Cir. Nov. 16, 2022)

    • Virginia of assault and battery of a police officer, obstructing justice, disorderly conduct, failure to appear; Va. Code Ann. §§ 18.2-57(C), 18.2-460, 18.2-415, 19.2-128; motion to reconsider; equitable tolling; aggravated felony crime of violence; Johnson; Dimaya; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(C); de novo standard of review; mixed question of law and fact

Yousif v. Garland, No. 22-0243 (6th Cir. Nov. 16, 2022)

    • CAT deferral; Chaldean Christian; long time U.S. residence; cumulative harm; unpublished BIA decisions; material change in country conditions; cumulative evidence; particularly serious crime and Matter of B-Z-R-; Iraq

11/14/22


Zaragoza v. Garland, No. 19-3437 (7th Cir. Nov. 8, 2022)

    • vacated criminal convictions; Matter of Thomas and Thompson; Indiana Code § 35-46-1-4(a)(2); CIMT; petty offense exception; child endangerment; realistic probability test; retroactive application; Matter of Cota-Vargas

11/07/22


Laparra-Deleon v. Garland, No. 22-1081 (1st Cir. Nov. 4, 2022)

    • deficient NTA in absentia motion to reopen; Matter of Laparra; notice of hearing; definition of the word “change”; Zombie precedent

 

Pinel-Gomez v. Garland, No. 19-3124 (2d Cir. Nov. 2, 2022)

    • corroboration; standard of review; factual question; finding of fact; reasonably available evidence; REAL ID Act

 

Quituizaca v. Garland, No. 19-3470 (2d Cir. Nov. 1, 2022)

    • asylum; withholding; nexus; indigenous ethnicity; Matter of C-T-L-; one central reason; a reason; statutory text

 

Madrid-Montoya v. Garland, No. 20-2072 (4th Cir. Oct. 31, 2022)

    • nexus; family group; land dispute; timing of threats; narcotraffickers; Honduras

 

Coreas-Chavez v. Garland, No. 21-2900 (8th Cir. Nov. 1, 2022)

    • asylum; motion to reconsider; Matter of Fernandes; extortion; gangs; El Salvador

 

Hernandez v. Garland, No. 20-72138 (9th Cir. Oct. 31, 2022)

    • particularly serious crime; I-213 reliability; Alcaraz-Enriquez; right to cross-examine police and DHS; schizophrenia; mental health; CAT; government acquiescence; aggregating risk; Mexico

10/31/22

Zapata-Chacon v. Garland, No. 20-9645 (10th Cir. Oct. 25, 2022)

    • Colorado definition of marijuana; motion to reconsider and terminate; definition of review; definition of relief; INA § 241(a)(5); jurisdiction; 28J letter

 

Morales v. Garland, No. 20-1305 (4th Cir. Oct. 24, 2022)

    • particular social group; witnesses to gang crime; women unable to leave their domestic relationship; family; particularity; social distinction; nexus; exhaustion; El Salvador

 

Guevara-Fabian v. Garland, No. 20-60627 (5th Cir. Oct. 25, 2022)

    • asylum; particular social group; family group; nexus; extortion; El Salvador

 

Mendoza-Linares v. Garland, No. 20-71582 (9th Cir. Oct. 24, 2022)

    • arriving alien; credible fear review; reasonable fear; Thuraissigiam; Transit Bar; INA § 242(e); constitutional claims; constitutional rights; due process INA § 242(d); nondelegation doctrine

10/24/22

Chavez v. Garland, No. 21-1267 (1st Cir. Oct. 21, 2022)

    • withholding of removal; imputed political opinion; imputed particular social group; imputed gang member; Matter of E-A-G-; Chevron Step 2; CAT; willful blindness; MS-13; El Salvador

 

H.H. v. Garland, No. 21-1150 (1st Cir. Oct. 21, 2022)

    • CAT protection; acquiescence; willful blindness test; mixed question of law and fact; experts; Matter of S-V-; CAT regulations; legislative history; private actors as government actors; under color of law; Fourteenth Amendment; MS-13; El Salvador; Honduras

 

Dong v. Garland, No. 16-70543 (9th Cir. Oct. 19, 2022)

    • credibility; omission; inconsistency between written statement and testimony; interrogation; demeanor; household registration document

 

De Leon Lopez v. Garland, No. 20-71529 (9th Cir. Oct. 21, 2022)

    • CAT; government acquiescence; agency deference; speculation; substantial evidence; relocation; government actor; police officers as gang members; Guatemala

 

10/17/22

Singh v. Garland, No. 20-70050 (9th Cir. Oct. 12, 2022)

    • en banc challenge; in absentia motion to reopen; deficient NTA; statutory interpretation; Rodriguez; Laparra

 

Sarr v. Garland, No. 20-3836 (2d Cir. Oct. 12, 2022)

    • venue; jurisdiction; stay of removal; INA § 242(b)(2)

 

Moreno v. Garland, No. 21-1237 (1st Cir. Oct. 14, 2022)

    • adjustment of status; INA § 245(a); discretion; motion to remand; new evidence; jurisdiction

 

Baghdad v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2094 (3d Cir. Oct. 11, 2022)

    • mens rea; mental state; aggravated felony theft offense; retail theft under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929(a)(1); permissive inference by a jury; 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929(c); use of the word “shall”; realistic probability test

 

 

 

10/10/22

Munoz v. DOS, et al., No. 21-55365 (9th Cir. Oct. 5, 2022)

  • doctrine of consular nonreviewability; Immigrant Visa; tattoos; facially legitimate bonafide reason; timely notification; Due Process

Cordero-Chavez v. Garland, No. 21-60370 (5th Cir. Oct. 4, 2022)

  • credibility; CAT protection; inconsistency; CAT box; waiver of CAT claim; Eduard v. Ashcroft

Ndifon v. Garland, No. 20-60997 (5th Cir. Oct. 4, 2022)

  • CAT protection notwithstanding adverse credibility finding; failure to consider evidence; Anglophone; Cameroon

Cante-Lopez v. Garland, No. 21-1922 (1st. Cir. Oct. 5, 2022)

  • exhaustion; failure to make argument; pro se; severity of harm; family membership; BIA decision without opinion; Guatemala

Dorce v. Garland, No. 21-1336 (1st Cir. Oct. 3, 2022)

  • due process; prejudice; notice of hearing; likely to affect; LPR cancellation of removal; criminal history

Reyes-Batista v. Garland, No. 21-1111 (1st Cir. Oct. 7, 2022)

  • former INA § 212(c) relief; nunc pro tunc; imputed domicile; equitable estoppel; affirmative misconduct

Matter of Bador, 28 I&N Dec. 638 (BIA 2022)

  • INA § 237(a)(1)(H) waiver; conditional permanent resident; INA § 216(c)(4)(B); I-751; Vasquez v. Holder; bonafide marriage

10/03/22

Lara-Garcia v. Garland, No. 20-71703 (9th Cir. Sept. 26, 2022)

    • motion to reopen; vacated conviction; Cardoso-Tlaseca; simple possession of drugs; Federal First Offender’s Act (FFOA); Lujan-Armendariz; sua sponte; CIMT – Cal. Pen. Code § 459, misdemeanor burglary; Cal. Pen. Code § 496(a), misdemeanor receipt of stolen property; Cal. Health and Safety Code § 11364(a), misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

 

De La Rosa-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 20-71923 (9th Cir. Sept. 27, 2022)

    • Non-LPR cancellation of removal; jurisdiction; Patel; mixed question of law and fact

 

Ruiz-Perez v. Garland, No. 20-61133 (5th Cir. Sept. 30, 2022)

    • reinstatement; VAWA cancellation of removal; Nasrallah; Guzman Chavez

 

 

 

 

9/26/22

September 2022 Patron Shout Out!

  • Derrick Upchurch
  • Breanna Cary
  • Nenad Milosevic
  • Yuna E. Scott
  • Lorraine Marte
  • Susan Gregg
  • Michelle M. Marty Rivera
  • Pablo Rodriguez
  • Dave Burton
  • Fola Olumbunmi

Kumar v. Garland, No. 20-60712 (5th Cir. Sept. 21, 2022)

  • exhaustion; due process; asylum; past persecution; government actor; BJP; India

9/19/22

Singh v. Garland, No. 20-72806 (9th Cir. Sept. 14, 2022)

    • past persecution; serious harm; death threats alone; fleeing home; age of victim for persecution; Shiromani Akali Dal Party (Mann Party); India

 

Martinez Roman v. Garland, No. 20-3476 (2d Cir. Sept. 15, 2022)

    • continuances; non-LPR cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; psychological expert; live testimony; duplicative testimony; duty to develop the record; Mexico

 

Freza v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2259 (3d Cir. Sept. 15, 2022)

    • continuances; due process; no need to establish prejudice; regulatory violation; potential for prejudice; termination for regulatory violation; CAT deferral

9/12/22

Intro + Hernandez Avilez v. Garland, No. 20-16142 (9th Cir. Sept. 8, 2022) (detention)

Rodriguez De Palucho v. Garland, No. 22-0212 (6th Cir. Sept. 9, 2022)

  • asylum; unable or unwilling to control private actors; extortion; rent; MS-13; El Salvador

Agustin-Matias v. Garland, No. 21-60288 (5th Cir. Sept. 9, 2022)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; qualifying relative; evidentiary burden; U.S. citizenship

Lopez v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-1490 (3d Cir. Sept. 9, 2022)

  • NACARA; INA § 212(h) waiver; statutory interpretation; Congressional intent

9/05/22

Gonzalez-Castillo v. Garland, No. 21-70112 (9th Cir. Aug. 31, 2022)

    • Interpol Red Notice; Article 13 of the Salvadoran Code; MS-13; serious reason to believe; serious nonpolitical crime; probable cause; burdens; Matter of W-E-R-B-; Salvadoran Art. 13; MS-13; IJ duty to develop the record

 

Romero-Millan v. Garland, No. 16-73915 (9th Cir. Aug. 29, 2022)

    • law relating to a controlled substance; categorical approach; divisibility; certification; Arizona; A.R.S. § 13-3415; drug paraphernalia; A.R.S.§ 13-3408(A)(2); drug possession for sale

 

Singh v. Garland, No. 19-73107 (9th Cir. Aug. 30, 2022)

    • changed country condition motion to reopen; credibility; Matter of F-S-N-; establish identity; Sikh; Mann Party; India

 

Casas v. Garland, No. 20-1739 (7th Cir. Aug. 29, 2022)

    • Reinstatement; reasonable fear interview; regulatory notice requirements; intent to reinstate; kidnapping; Mexico

 

Domingo-Mendez v. Garland, No, 21-1029 (1st Cir. Aug. 31, 2022)

    • non-LPR cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; clear error review; Guatemala

 

Parada v. Garland, No. 19-60425 (5th Cir. Sept. 1, 2022)

    • Deficient NTA; stop time rule; motion to reopen; non-LPR cancellation of removal

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/29/22

Vurimindi v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1848 (3d Cir. Aug. 24, 2022)

  • stalking in violation of 18 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. § 2709.1(a)(1); divisibility; mens rea; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); means vs. elements; intent; “demonstrate”; Pennsylvania jury instructions

Rivera-Medrano v. Garland, No. 20-1667 (1st Cir. Aug. 26, 2022)

  • motion to remand; credibility; Matter of F-S-N-; expert psychological opinion; PTSD; memory issues; recollection of children; childhood trauma; credible and reasonable fear interview transcripts; border interviews; El Salvador

8/22/22

Cordero-Garcia v. Garland, No. 19-72779 (9th Cir. Aug. 15, 2022)

    • INA § 101(a)(43)(S), obstruction of justice; Valenzuela Gallardo; Cal. Pen. Code § 136.1(b)(1); Matter of Cordero-Garcia; realistic probability; Zombie alert!

 

Ballinas-Lucero v. Garland, No. 17-73260 (9th Cir. Aug. 15, 2022)

    • vacated convictions; Cal. Pen. Code § 1018; cancellation; Pereida; burdens; Thomas and Thompson

 

Matter of V-A-K-, 28 I&N Dec. 630 (BIA 2022)

    • N.Y. Pen. Law §§ 110.00 and 140.25(2); attempted burglary; INA §§ 101(a)(43)(U), (G); dwelling; overnight accommodation; violence; Sitt; Quarles

 

Garcia Sarmiento v. Garland, No. 20-1679 (1st Cir. Aug. 17, 2022)

    • reinstatement; withholding only proceedings; motion to reopen; time deadlines; jurisdiction; Honduras

 

Tantchev v. Garland, No. 22-0195 (6th Cir. Aug. 19, 2022)

    • receipt of stolen property aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); exporting stolen vehicles; 18 U.S.C. § 553; Matter of Daeng; willful blindness; reason to believe; knowledge

 

Dor v. Garland, No. 20-1694 (1st Cir. Aug. 19, 2022)

    • particularly serious crime; BIA’s failure to conduct analysis; Frentescu; criminal-alien bar; exhaustion; small amount of marijuana

 

Al-Masaudi v. Garland, No. 21-2166 (8th Cir. Aug. 15, 2022)

    • crime of child abuse; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-707(1); Velazquez-Herrera; particularly serious crime; harm to persons; CAT deferral; criminal deportees; Iraq

 

Estrada-Cardona v. Garland, No. 21-9562 (10th Cir. Aug. 17, 2022)

    • in absentia motion to reopen; deficient NTA; statutory interpretation; sua sponte; equitable tolling; physical removal; reasoned decision making

 

Dragomirescu v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-13705 (11th Cir. Aug. 16, 2022)

    • in absentia motion to reopen; no notice; failure to update address; Matter of M-R-A-; presumptions; affidavits; deficient NTA

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/15/22

Tinoco Acevedo v. Garland, No. 20-2048 (4th Cir. Aug. 11, 2022)

  • IJ bias; belittle; due process; Matter of Y-S-L-C-; lack of fluency in English; relying on evidence not in the record

K.Y. v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-10271 (11th Cir. Aug. 9, 2022)

  • particularly serious crime; asylum; transgender woman; extortion; issue exhaustion; discretionary findings and jurisdiction; Guyana

Keta v. Garland, No. 21-3243 (8th Cir. Aug. 10. 2022)

  • deferral; Kunama interpreter; CAT grant despite adverse credibility; reversing IJ; IJ Practice Manual; impeachment evidence; Eritrea

Mohamed v. Garland, No. 21-2309 (8th Cir. Aug. 10. 2022)

  • withholding; corroboration; musicians; Western values; clans; dancing with naked women; collateral estoppel; law of the case; reversing IJ; religion; Somalia

8/08/22

Sorto-Guzman v. Garland, No. 20-1762 (4th Cir. Aug. 3, 2022)

    • single death threat; persecution; question of law; Catholic religion; burdens; Mara 18; El Salvador

 

Gutierrez-Vargas v. Garland, No. 21-3520 (8th Cir. Aug. 1, 2022)

    • particularly serious crime; reweighing evidence; crimes against persons; INA § 242(a)(2)(C); CAT deferral; dismemberment; Zetas; Mexico

 

Perez-Camacho v. Garland, No. 19-72063 (9th Cir. Aug. 1, 2022)

    • motion to reopen; modified convictions; sua sponte; gross miscarriage of justice; tolling; diligence

 

Troncoso-Oviedo v. Garland, No. 21-70547 (9th Cir. Aug. 5, 2022)

    • INA § 101(f)(7); good moral character; presentence confinement; Chevron; Matter of Valdovinos; due process; waiving asylum application

 

Chen v. Garland, No. 19-4162 (2d Cir. Aug. 5, 2022)

    • sua sponte motion to reopen; review of legal or constitutional error; derivative asylum; China

 

Campos-Chaves v. Garland, No. 20-60262 (5th Cir. Aug. 3, 2022)

    • deficient NTA; Rodriguez; Spagnol-Bastos; Notice of Hearing; failure to provide address

 

Matter of Fernandes, 28 I&N Dec. 605 (BIA 2022)

    • partially deficient NTA; timely assertion of mandatory claims processing rule; “shall”; prejudice; dismissal; mental incompetence

 

Castillo-Gutierrez v. Garland, No. 20-60492 (5th Aug. 5, 2022)

    • deficient NTA; subject matter jurisdiction; Notice of Hearing; hardship; Patel

 

Chuor v. Garland, No. 20-3571 (8th Cir. Aug. 4, 2022)

    • CAT deferral; clear error; review of IJ factual findings; personal risk of torture; similar sounding names; mental illness; South Sudan

 

Morfa Diaz v. DHS, et al., No. 20-2110763 (11th Cir. Aug. 5, 2022)

    • aggravated felony drug trafficking; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); divisibility; naturalization; INA § 101(f)(8); NYPL § 220.39; narcotic

 

Bastias v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-11416 (11th Cir. Aug. 2, 2022)

    • INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; Soram; Velazquez-Herrera; culpably negligent; criminal negligence; review of state statutes to define; Chevron; reasonableness; burdens

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/31/22

Matter of Ortega-Quezada, 28 I&N Dec. 598 (BIA 2022)

  • INA § 237(a)(2)(C); firearm offense; exchange; ammunition; gratuitous transfer; divisibility; double jeopardy; similarly-worded statutes; Pereida

Martinez Alquijay v. Garland, No. 20-70470 (9th Cir. July 27, 2022)

  • untimely asylum filing; one-year deadline; extraordinary circumstances; legal disability; stress; young age; failure to speak English

Garcia-Marin v. Garland, No. 20-3393 (7th Cir. July 29, 2022)

  • reinstatement; deferral of removal; physical removal; mootness

Shkembi v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-2592 (3d Cir. July 27, 2022)

  • visa waiver program violators; fraud at entry; photo-switched passport; asylum-only proceedings; withdraw of asylum application; adjustment of status; due process and motion to reopen; INA § 245(c)(4); Albania

7/25/22

Ndudzi v. Garland, No. 20-60782 (5th Cir. July 20, 2022)

    • adverse credibility; demeanor; inconsistency; asylum; credible fear interview notes; Angola; Cabinda; Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC); BIA rewriting IJ decision

 

Masin-Ventura v. Garland, No. 21-60610 (5th Cir. July 21, 2022)

    • motion to reopen; equitable tolling; diligence

 

Bravo-Bravo v. Garland, No. 20-71042 (9th Cir. July 18, 2022)

    • reinstatement; gross miscarriage of justice; motion to reopen; challenge to reinstatement order; statute vs. regulations

 

Lopez Luvian v. Garland, No. 18-73286 (9th Cir. July 19, 2022)

    • reinstatement; jurisdiction; termination; false claim to U.S. citizenship; final order of exclusion; gross miscarriage of justice

 

Dacostagomez-Aguilar v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-13576 (11th Cir. July 19, 2022)

    • deficient NTA; in absentia motion to reopen; due process; failure to appear; Singh; Rodriguez; motion to change venue; Matter of Pena-Mejia

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/18/22

United States v. Hernandez-Calvillo, No. 19-3210 (10th Cir. July 13, 2022)

  • encourage; induce; alien smuggling; First Amendment; 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv); Sineneng-Smith; statutory interpretation

USA v. Bastide-Hernandez, No. 19-30006 (9th Cir. July 11, 2022) (en banc)

  • deficient NTA; claims processing rule; subject matter jurisdiction; § 1326; prejudice

7/11/22

Barseghyan v. Garland, No. 16-72849 (9th Cir. July 8, 2022)

  • credibility; asylum; inconsistency; Alam; past persecution; totality of circumstances; opportunity to explain; plausibility; Armenia

Gudiel-Villatoro v. Garland, No. 20-61050 (5th Cir. July 8, 2022)

  • deficient NTA; in absentia motion to reopen; Rodriguez; failure to update address; failure to provide address; Spagnol-Bastos

Daye v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-14340 (11th Cir. July 6, 2022)

  • CIMT; drug trafficking; Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-248.01; Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-256; intent to distribute; conspiracy; mens rea; conspiracy; morally reprehensible

Rivera Vega v. Garland, No. 19-71750 (9th Cir. July 8, 2022)

  • reinstatement with adjustment of status application pending before USCIS; INA § 212(a)(9)(C); IIRIRA; retroactivity; right to counsel; reasonable fear review

Brito v. Garland, No. 21-1278 (7th Cir. July 7, 2022)

  • clear error review; standard of review; speculation; DHS appeal; temporary BIA members; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(a)(4); Familia Michoacan cartel; CAT; Mexico

7/04/22

 

Zepeda-Lopez, et al. v. Garland, No. 19-145 (2d June 28, 2022)

  • asylum; dual citizenship; dual nationality; statutory interpretation; “any”; dictionary definitions; INA § 101(a)(42)(A); refugee; UN Refugee Convention; statutory scheme as a whole; Matter of B-R-; Honduras

Matter of E-F-N-, 28 I&N Dec. 591 (BIA 2022)

  • credibility; impeachment; filing deadlines; fundamental fairness; Federal Rules of Evidence; Cameroon; SCNC

Herrera-Alcala v. Garland, No. 20-1770 (4th Cir. June 30, 2022)

  • venue; forum; Immigration Adjudication Center; credibility; Cuba; credible fear interview; omissions; inherent plausibility; recovery without medical attention; visa from persecuting country

Antonio v. Garland, No. 22-0141 (6th Cir. June 29, 2022)

  • stay of removal; Nken; irreparable-harm; CAT deferral; drug trafficking; gangs; Dominican Republic

Barradas Jacome v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2439 (3d Cir. June 30, 2022)

  • 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3925(a); expedited removal; due process; challenge removability; regulatory interpretation; exhaustion; administrative remedy; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); receipt of stolen property; mens rea

Antonio Hernandez v. Garland, No. 20-70158 (9th Cir. June 27, 2022)

  • NACARA; LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(a); INA § 240A(c)(6); statutory interpretation; statutory scheme as a whole; Matter of Hernandez-Romero

Alberto Hernandez v. Garland, No. 21-70493 (9th Cir. June 28, 2022)

  • TPS; admission; admitted in any status; LPR cancellation of removal under INA § 240A(a); Sanchez v. Mayorkas; particularly serious crime; cumulative effect of convictions; Cal. Pen. Code § 273.5(A)

Sarkar v. Garland, No. 17-72212 (9th Cir. July 1, 2022)

  • circuit court administrative closure; discretion standard; ICE discretion not to remove; prosecutorial discretion memo; changed country condition motion to reopen; individualized risk; Bangladesh

Djie v. Garland, No. 20-60448 (5th Cir. June 29, 2022)

  • number bar to motions to reopen; changed country condition motion to reopen; regulatory interpretation; conflict between statute and regulation; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(c)(2); doctrine of expressio unius est exclusio alterius

 

6/27/22

 

United States v. Taylor, No. 20-1459 (U.S. June 21, 2022)

  • Hobbs Act robbery; 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(A); crime of violence; attempt; substantial step; realistic probability test

Menghistab v. Garland, No. 21-2099 (7th Cir. June 21, 2022)

  • changed country conditions motion to reopen; CAT deferral; review of foreign law; prima facie showing; Ethiopian citizenship; ethnic Eritrean; Ethiopia; Tigray War; Eritrea

Matter of Nchifor, 28 I&N Dec. 585 (BIA 2022)

  • deficient NTA; timely assertion of mandatory claims processing rule; forum shopping; choice of law; law of jurisdiction of detention; venue

Velasquez-Samayoa v. Garland, No. 21-70093 (9th Cir. June 24, 2022)

  • CAT protection; harm in totality; aggregate risk; Dr. Thomas Boerman; MS-13; 18th Street gang; tattoos; percentage of harm; Matter of J-F-F-; expert testimony; El Salvador

 

6/20/22

 

Garland v. Gonzalez, et al., No. 20-322 (U.S. June 13, 2022)

  • INA § 242(f)(1); injunctions; class action; individual; statutory interpretation; detention

Johnson v. Arteaga-Martinez, No. 19-896 (U.S. June 13, 2022)

  • statutory interpretation; canon of constitutional avoidance; detention; withholding-only proceedings; reinstatement; Jennings

Aguirre-Zuniga v. Garland, No. 21-1201 (7th Cir. June 16, 2022)

  • methamphetamine; isomers; categorical approach; internal divisibility; Ind. Code § 35-48-4-1.1; realistic probability test; legislative silence

Cabrera-Ruiz v. Garland, No. 21-2085 (7th Cir. June 14, 2022)

  • CAT; acquiesce; fear of cartels; gang tattoo; credibility; Mexico

Reyes Pujols v. Garland, No. 21-1128 (1st Cir. June 14, 2022)

  • credibility; aggregate inconsistencies; demeanor; unconscious bias; trauma survivors; Dominican Republic

Matter of D-L-S-, 28 I&N Dec. 568 (BIA 2022)

  • particularly serious crime; final judgment; deferred adjudication; assault; Fla. Stat. § 784.041; conviction; canon on consistent usage

Holmes v. Garland, No. 21-2135 (8th Cir. June 17, 2022)

  • remand; pro se admissions & concessions; due process; fundamental fairness

Donnelly v. CARRP, No. 20-4243 (2d Cir. June 14, 2022)

  • INA § 310(c); jurisdiction; mandatory claims processing rule; exhaustion; naturalization; Ireland

Molina v. Garland, No. 19-73028 (9th Cir. June 13, 2022)

  • asylum; past persecution; threats; fleeing; terrorist accusations; cumulative harm for asylum; El Chipote; risk percentage; protesting; CAT; detention at airport; Nicaragua

Greenwood v. Garland, No. 17-72389 (9th Cir. June 16, 2022)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; credibility; Matter of F-S-N-; identity; sua sponte; Jamaica

Marquez-Reyes v. Garland, No. 17-71367 (9th Cir. June 14, 2022)

  • alien smuggling; INA § 212(a)(6)(E)(i); encouraged; knowing; dictionaries; cannon of constitutional avoidance; First Amendment; pro-immigration political advocacy; Equal Protection; vagueness; administrative closure

 

6/13/22

 

USA v. Castillo, No. 21-527 (2d Cir. June 8, 2022)

  • crime of violence; attempt; violent force; attempted second-degree gang assault in violation of N.Y. Pen. L. §§ 120.06 and 110.00; legal impossibility

Flores-Alonso v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-14058 (11th Cir. June 6, 2022)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal under INA § 240A(b); exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; Patel; reasoned consideration
  • Donate to Immigrant’s List

Vasquez-Borjas v. Garland, No. 17-70867 (9th Cir. June 6, 2022)

  • CIMT; Cal. Pen. Code § 472; forgery; intent to defraud; social security card; rule of the last antecedent; exhaustion; Matter of Burbano

Mendoza-Garcia v. Garland, No. 20-73583 (9th Cir. June 10, 2022)

  • first-degree burglary of a dwelling; Or. Rev. Stat.§ 164.225; aggravated felony theft offense; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); divisibility; Oregon occupied dwelling; particularly serious crime; case-by-case analysis

Fosu v. Garland, No. 20-60749 (5th Cir. June 7, 2022)

  • prison mailbox rule; conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; INA § 101(a)(43)(U)/(M); restitution; loss to the victim

Monsonyem v. Garland, No. 20-60952 (5th Cir. June 7, 2022)

  • crime of child abuse; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); Tex. Pen. Code § 22.04(a)(3); divisibility; affirmative defense; jury instructions; Mathis peak

 

6/06/22

 

Lopez-Perez v. Garland, No. 20-60131 (5th Cir. June 1, 2022)

  • domestic violence based asylum claims; Jaco v. Garland; A-R-C-G-; failure to file a brief with the BIA; futility of remand; El Salvador

Bertrand v. Garland, No. 19-60620 (5th Cir. June 3, 2022)

  • unable or unwilling to protect; police reports; Matter of O-Z- & I-Z-; complete helplessness; Patel; voodoo; Haiti

 

5/30/22

 

USA v. Jimenez-Shilon, No. 20-13139 (11th Cir. May 23, 2022)

  • 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A); right of “the people” to bear arms

Nunez v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2651 (3d Cir. May 26, 2022)

  • endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree, in violation of N.J. Stat. § 2C:24-4(a)(1); use and definition of “would”; crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); likelihood of harm; tendency for harm; capacity to harm

Cardona-Franco v. Garland, No. 19-60789 (5th Cir. May 24, 2022)

  • credibility; IJ bias; exhaustion; motion to reconsider; previously available evidence

Li v. Garland, No. 21-3328 (8th Cir. May 27, 2022)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; Chinese Christian; Matter of F-S-N-; prima facie case

 

5/23/22

 

Patel v. Garland, No. 20-979 (U.S. May 16, 2022)

  • jurisdiction to review five types of discretionary relief; statutory interpretation; false claim to citizenship; agency power

Saint Ford v. Att’y Gen U.S., No. 21-1729 (3d Cir. May 16, 2022)

  • ineffective assistance of counsel motion to reopen; corroboration; prejudice; truth of statements in motion; Platform Petit Dessalines (PPD); Haiti

Argueta-Orellana v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-1581 (3d Cir. May 20, 2022)

  • failure to file a brief with BIA; regulatory interpretation; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.l(d)(2)(i)(E)

Ali v. Garland, No. 21-1296 (1st Cir. May 5, 2022)

  • evidence in totality; private actors; security forces; Al-Shabaab; CAT; Somalia

Fon v. Garland, No. 20-73166 (9th Cir. May 18, 2022)

  • asylum; past persecution; nexus; standard of review; Anglophone; Cameroon

Olea-Serefina v. Garland, No. 20-72231 (9th Cir. May 19, 2022)

  • aggravated felony crime of violence; § 101(a)(43)(F); § 16(a); corporal injury upon a child in violation of Cal. Pen Code § 273d(a); term of imprisonment; violent force; use of the word “an”; old state case law; continuances

Nkenglefac v. Garland, No. 19-60647 (5th Cir. May 18, 2022)

  • asylum; credibility; extra-record evidence; credible fear interview; discrepancies; opportunity to explain; SCNC; Cameroon

Vasquez-De Martinez v. Garland, No. 21-60856 (5th Cir. May 16, 2022)

  • extensions of time; motion to dismiss; voluntary dismissal; Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 42

Arreola-Ochoa v. Garland, No. 21-1179 (7th Cir. May 17, 2022)

  • deficient NTA; prejudice; timeliness; dismissal; claims processing rule

 

5/19/22

 

Ed and Liz take us through the case and settlement Dong, et al. v. Johnson, et al., Case No. 17-2092-ES-JSA—a class-action lawsuit which challenged various actions and conduct of the U.S. Government related to the University of Northern New Jersey (“UNNJ”). UNNJ was a fake university set up by DHS. After over five years of litigation, the lawsuit has now settled, and the Court has approved the parties’ Settlement Agreement. Rejoice!

Links!:

 

5/16/22

 

Matter of B-Z-R-, 28 I&N Dec. 563 (A.G. 2022)

  • mental health; Matter of G-G-S-; particularly serious crime

Kithongo v. Garland, No. 21-2662 (7th Cir. May 9, 2022)

  • particularly serious crime; conspiracy to commit robbery; violent crimes; Matter of N-A-M-; jurisdiction; exhaustion; case processing rule; actually argued

Tojin-Tiu v. Garland, No. 21-2269 (8th Cir. May 12, 2022)

  • family-based particular social group; fear of gangs; persecution Guatemala

Jang v. Garland, No. 19-4289 (2d Cir. May 9, 2022)

  • CIMT; attempted second-degree money laundering; N.Y. Penal L. § 470.15(1)(b)(ii)(A); Matter of Tejwani; intent to defraud; knowing mens rea

Pena-Lopez v. Garland, No. 20-60911 (5th Cir. May 12, 2022)

  • mixed question of law and fact; jurisdiction; VAWA motion to reopen; VAWA cancellation of removal; extraordinary circumstances or extreme hardship to the noncitizen’s child; Guerrero-Lasprilla; INA § 242(a)(2)(D)

Priva v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-12521 (11th Cir. May 12, 2022)

  • reasonable fear proceedings; right to counsel; due process; substantial prejudice; Nasrallah factual findings; Haiti

Lopez Morales v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-14054 (11th Cir. May 11, 2022)

  • exhaustion; asylum; reasoned consideration; Mayan race; Mam; Guatemala

 

5/09/22

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U.S. v. Begay, No. 14-10080 (9th Cir. May 5, 2022) (en banc)

  • crime of violence; recklessness; Borden

Udo v. Garland, No. 20-70078 (9th Cir. May 4, 2022)

  • credibility; frivolous asylum finding; deliberate fabrication; materiality; gay men; homosexuality; consideration of all evidence; adverse credibility and Convention Against Torture; Nigeria

Matter of German Santos, 28 I&N Dec. 552 (BIA 2022)

  • Penn. Cons. Stat. § 780-113(a)(30); INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); divisibility; sentence enhancement; modified categorical approach; non-LPR cancellation; DUI; discretion; Matter of Laguerre

Alvarez v. Garland, No. 22-6021 (2d Cir. May 5, 2022)

  • violation of a court protection order; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(ii); in forma pauperis motion; first-degree contempt of court in violation of N.Y. Penal L. § 215.51; circumstance specific approach

 

5/02/22

 

Matter of Dang, 28 I&N Dec. 541 (BIA 2022)

  • misdemeanor domestic abuse battery with child endangerment in violation of LA Stat. § 14:35.3(I); crime of domestic violence; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); physical force; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); Castleman, Stokeling

Bhaktibhai-Patel v. Garland, No. 19-2565 (2d Cir. Apr. 27, 2022)

  • jurisdiction; final order; finality; withholding only proceedings; reinstatement; INA § 101(a)(47); illegal reentry; due process; Thuraissigiam

Hernandez-Ortiz v. Garland, No. 16-72752 (9th Cir. Apr. 26, 2022)

  • motion to reopen; equitable tolling; ineffective assistance of counsel; prejudice; egregious; drug cartels; Mexico

Gutierrez-Zavala v. Garland, No. 20-73398 (9th Cir. Apr. 26, 2022)

  • reinstatement; jurisdiction; Chenery Doctrine; motion to reopen

Salat v. Garland, No. 20-2662 (8th Cir. Apr. 28, 2022)

  • CAT deferral; factfinding; internally displaced person camp; IDP camp; mental health illness; mental health facility; Somaliland; Somalia

 

4/27/22

About Hidden Dream:

The Hidden Dream was built to raise awareness of the struggles faced by visa immigrants, share resources, and create a community to uplift immigrants who have spent several years in this country without a pathway to citizenship.

The Hidden Dream specializes in creating resources for childhood visa arrivals – children who entered the country on H4, L2, E2 etc. visas and are at risk of deportation.

The Hidden Dream serves visa immigrants (including visa dreamers, dependent visa spouses, families affected by the Green Card backlog, mixed status families and international students) by compiling and creating resources, guides, hosting workshops + support groups, providing a safe space for visa immigrants on social media, offering an annual scholarship, and creating crucial networking opportunities.

Links!:

 

4/25/22

 

Aaliyah The Brave: Empowering Children Coping with Immigration Enforcement, by Rekha Sharma-Crawford, Esq.

Barros v. Garland, No. 21-1335 (1st Cir. Apr. 19, 2022)

  • LPR cancellation of removal; discretion; dead fish standard of review; exhaustion; jurisdiction; requirement to file motion to reconsider with BIA

Matter of Dingus, 28 I&N Dec. 529 (BIA 2022)

  • nunc pro tunc changes to convictions; vacatur; modification; distribution of a controlled substance in violation of VA Code § 18.2-248; Matter of Pickering; burdens; Thomas and Thompson; salvinorin A

Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 20-60008 (5th Cir. Apr. 19, 2022)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; deficient NTA; Niz Chavez; INA § 239(a)

 

4/18/22

 

Ibarra Chevez v. Garland, No. 20-1576 (4th Cir. Apr. 15, 2022)

  • CAT; torture in the aggregate; relocation; Decree 717; mixed question of law and fact; standards of review; no need for motion to reconsider; MS-13; El Salvador

Sanchez-Amador v. Garland, No. 20-60367 (5th Cir. Apr. 11, 2022)

  • unable or unwilling to protect; sexual assault; extortion; MS-13; Honduras

 

4/11/22

 

Boch-Saban v. Garland, No. 20-60540 (5th Cir. Apr. 8, 2022)

  • equitable tolling; motion to reopen; appeal to BIA; self-certification; Matter of Liadov

Arreguin v. Garland, No. 20-2431 (8th Cir. Apr. 4, 2022)

  • asylum; vigilante group; disappearance; corroboration; immediate family; nuclear family; nexus; C-T-L-; opportunity to explain; motion to reopen; Mexico

Camacho-Valdez v. Garland, No. 21-3112 (7th Cir. Apr. 6, 2022)

  • sanctions; fines; attorney misconduct; docketing fee; in forma pauperis

Hernandez-Serrano v. Garland, No. 20-3175 (6th Cir. Apr. 7, 2022)

  • administrative closure; en banc; vacatur; motion to vacation; mediation

 

4/04/22

 

Gonzalez Aguilar v. Garland, No. 18-9570 (10th Cir. Mar. 29, 2022)

  • asylum; transgender woman; transgender adults; pattern or practice of persecution; Department of State country condition report; corruption; law enforcement efforts; unable or unwilling; corruption; Honduras

Matter of S. Wong, 28 I&N Dec. 518 (BIA 2022)

  • definition of conviction under INA § 101(a)(48)(A); constitutional floor; disorderly persons offense of theft by deception in violation of N.J. Stat. § 2C:20-4(a); CIMT; fraud; forgery in the second degree in violation of N.Y. Pen. L. § 170.10

Jama v. Garland, No. 21-1585 (8th Cir. Mar. 30, 2022)

  • CAT; Awrtable tribe; pidgin Somali; Somali Christian; mental illness; Somalia

Paredes Gonzales v. Garland, No. 20-2964 (8th Cir. Apr. 1, 2022)

  • CAT; Interpol Red Notice; business disputes; prison conditions and torture; Bolivia

Kakar v. USCIS, No. 20-1512 (2d Cir. Mar. 28, 2022)

  • INA § 212(a)(3)(B)(iii)(V); asylum; terrorism; APA; weapons bar; material support bar; duress exception; Chenery; estoppel; res judicata; Taliban; Afghanistan

 

3/28/22

 

Ep. 100 thank yous, and TPS update!

Said v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 21-12917 (11th Cir. Mar. 24, 2022)

  • possession of marijuana in violation of Fla. Stat. § 893.13(6)(a); Matter of Guaderrama; realistic probability test; relevant divisibility; modified categorical approach; Ramos; Moncrieffe

Tazu v. Att’y Gen. U.S., et al., 975 F.3d 292 (3d Cir. 2020)

  • waivers; jurisdiction; habeas; INA § 242(g); INA § 242(b)(9); detention; challenging execution of removal order

Julmice v. Garland, No. 21-1177 (4th Cir. Mar. 23, 2022)

  • INA § 237(a)(1)(H) waiver; deceased qualifying relative; statutory interpretation; Chevron deference; present tense; Matter of Federiso

 

3/21/22

Matter of C. Morgan, 28 I&N Dec. 508 (BIA 2022)

  • attempt to commit larceny, Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-124, 53a-49; INA § 101(a)(43)(U)aggravated felony; theft offense as defined at INA § 101(a)(43)(G); divisibility; means; fraud and theft; trickery; knowing consent; Reyes

Lauture v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-13165 (11th Cir. Mar. 17, 2022)

  • CIMT; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(i); burglary of an unoccupied dwelling; Fla. Stat. § 810.02(3)(b); divisibility; aggravated felony theft and crime of violence; Mathis peak; realistic probability test; occupied dwelling

Cupete v. Garland, No. 20-3441 (2d Cir. Mar. 16, 2022)

  • CIMT; impair government function; 18 U.S.C. § 1001; Matter of Pinzon; deficient NTA; jurisdiction

Garcia v. Garland, No. 19-60793 (5th Cir. Mar. 14, 2022)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; deficient NTA; LGBT; HIV positive; Mexico

Hernandez Garmendia v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 203211 (3d Cir. Mar. 16, 2022)

  • asylum; CAT; due process; exhaustion; mental competency; indicia of incompetency; Matter of M-A-M-; El Salvador

Hernandez v. Garland, No. 20-3575 (8th Cir. Mar. 18, 2022)

    • good moral character; non-LPR cancellation of removal; sufficiency of BIA decision; alcohol

 

3/14/22

Into + Wooden v. U.S., No. 20-5279 (U.S. Mar. 7, 2022)

  • Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA); different occasions; single scheme of criminal misconduct; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii); CIMT

Oluwajana v. Garland, No. 21-1804 (7th Cir. Mar. 9, 2022)

  • due process; motion to extend briefing deadline; motion to accept untimely brief; abuse of discretion; general remand by OIL; EOIR FOIA

Matter of M-M-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 494 (BIA 2022)

  • frivolous asylum finding; sufficiency of IJ factual findings; regulations as a whole; regulatory interpretation; discretion

Valdez Amador v. Garland, No. 13-71406 (9th Cir. Mar. 9, 2022)

  • INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i) crime of domestic violence; corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant; Cal. Pen. Code § 273.5(a); rape of an unconscious person; Cal. Pen. Code § 261(a)(4); divisibility; Mathis; INA § 101(a)(43)(A)

Fakhuri v. Garland, No. 19-60275 (5th Cir. Mar. 11, 2022)

  • categorical approach; divisibility; elements; different criminal punishments; aggravated felony; attempt; money laundering; INA § 101(a)(43)(U); § 101(a)(43)(D); Tenn. Code § 39-14-101; Tenn. Code § 39-14-903

Iyawe v. Garland, et al., No. 20-3088 (8th Cir. Mar. 11, 2022)

    • I-130 petition; INA § 204(c); APA; arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; deference to prior USCIS decision

 

3/14/22

Into + Wooden v. U.S., No. 20-5279 (U.S. Mar. 7, 2022)

  • Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA); different occasions; single scheme of criminal misconduct; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii); CIMT

Oluwajana v. Garland, No. 21-1804 (7th Cir. Mar. 9, 2022)

  • due process; motion to extend briefing deadline; motion to accept untimely brief; abuse of discretion; general remand by OIL; EOIR FOIA

Matter of M-M-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 494 (BIA 2022)

  • frivolous asylum finding; sufficiency of IJ factual findings; regulations as a whole; regulatory interpretation; discretion

Valdez Amador v. Garland, No. 13-71406 (9th Cir. Mar. 9, 2022)

  • INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i) crime of domestic violence; corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant; Cal. Pen. Code § 273.5(a); rape of an unconscious person; Cal. Pen. Code § 261(a)(4); divisibility; Mathis; INA § 101(a)(43)(A)

Fakhuri v. Garland, No. 19-60275 (5th Cir. Mar. 11, 2022)

  • categorical approach; divisibility; elements; different criminal punishments; aggravated felony; attempt; money laundering; INA § 101(a)(43)(U); § 101(a)(43)(D); Tenn. Code § 39-14-101; Tenn. Code § 39-14-903

Iyawe v. Garland, et al., No. 20-3088 (8th Cir. Mar. 11, 2022)

    • I-130 petition; INA § 204(c); APA; arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; deference to prior USCIS decision

 

3/07/22

Intro + Duarte et al. v. Mayorkas, No. 18-20784 (5th Cir. Mar. 3, 2022)

  • advance parole; admitted; TPS; arriving alien

Arreaga Bravo v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-3300 (3rd Cir. Mar. 2, 2022)

  • clear error review; IJ fact finding; rape; CAT; Guatemala

Rivera Menjivar v. Garland, No. 21-1624 (8th Cir. Mar. 3, 2022)

  • asylum; due process; similarly situated family members; evangelical Christian; gangs; El Salvador

Salcido Mar v. Garland, No. 20-3426 (8th Cir. Feb. 28, 2022)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; jurisdiction

Silva v. Garland, No. 20-1593 (1st Cir. Feb. 28, 2022)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(S); Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 274, § 4; law relating to obstruction of justice; statutory interpretation; Valenzuela Gallardo

Silva v. Garland, No. 20-1593 (1st Cir. Feb. 28, 2022)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(S); Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 274, § 4; law relating to obstruction of justice; statutory interpretation; Valenzuela Gallardo

Martinez-Guevara v. Garland, No. 20-60624 (5th Cir. Mar. 3, 2022)

  • exhaustion; reconsider; changed country conditions motions to reopen; in absentia

Raymundo Morales v. Garland, No. 20-60919 (5th Cir. Mar. 4, 2022)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; family separation; hardship

Gregorio-Osorio v. Garland, No. 20-60478 (5th Cir. Mar. 4, 2022)

  • deficient NTA; post-conclusion voluntary departure; Posos-Sanchez; M-F-O-

Toledo-Vasquez v. Garland, No. 20-1849 (4th Cir. Mar. 2, 2022)

  • nexus; family-based particular social group; asylum; persecution by group member; Mexico

Garcia Hernandez v. Garland, No. 20-1678 (4th Cir. Mar. 2, 2022)

  • changed country condition vs. regular motion to reopen; extending one-year filing deadline after asylum application filed

 

2/28/22

Zarate v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-11654 (11th Cir. Feb. 18, 2022)

  • CIMT; falsely representing a social security number; 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B); fraud or deceit; crimes against the government; least culpable conduct; false statement; intent to deceive; Pereida; burdens

Matter of T-C-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 472 (BIA 2022)

  • INA § 209(b); asylee and refugee adjustment of status; “granted”; definition of “status”; statutory interpretation; particularly serious crime; financial crime; CAT; Albania

Adeyanju v. Garland, No. 21-1045 (1st Cir. Feb. 24, 2022)

  • factual vs. discretionary; BIA review; Arai; H-L-H- & Z-Y-Z-; reweighing evidence; I-751; visa fraud; police reports; clear error; dead fish

Lopez-Perez v. Garland, No. 21-1057 (1st Cir. Feb. 22, 2022)

  • asylum; one year filing deadline; factual vs. legal challenge; wealthy merchants; Mam; Guatemala

B.R. v. Garland, No. 19-70386 (9th Cir. Feb. 23, 2022)

  • termination; regulatory violations; due process; service of NTA on minor; egregious constitutional violation; evidence of alienage; CAT; drug cartels; Mexico

 

2/21/22

Mejia-Velasquez v. Garland, No. 20-1192 (4th Cir. Feb. 15, 2022)

  • biometrics notice; Matter of D-M-C-P-; definition of notice; Kisor deference; regulatory interpretation; preamble; due process; foreign language interpretation

Ortiz Narez v. Garland, Nos. 19-72039, 20-71416 (9th Cir. Feb. 16, 2022)

  • CIMT; CA voluntary manslaughter; categorical approach; scienter; recklessness

Ferreiras v. Garland, No. 19-4111 (2d Cir. Feb. 17, 2022)

  • CIMT, NY petit larceny, certification; categorical approach; Diaz-Lizarraga; permanent deprivation; substantial erosion of property rights

Xu v. Garland, No. 19-1044 (1st Cir. Feb. 18, 2022)

  • Final Administrative Removal Order (“FARO”); expedited removal; MA “keeping a house of ill fame”; MA money laundering; prostitution aggravated felony; jurisdiction; China; CAT deferral; 8 C.F.R. § 103.5(a)(5)(i); favorable circumstances

Gomez-Abrego v. Garland, No. 20-2175 (1st Cir. Feb. 16, 2022)

  • Asylum; withholding; CAT; El Salvador; particular social group; nexus; gangs; police; exhaustion; ultra vires

Deng Chol v. Garland, No. 20-3268 (8th Cir. Feb. 16, 2022)

  • CAT; South Sudan; Uganda; conscription; tribal definition; pro se; due process; prejudice; exhaustion

 

2/14/22

USA v. Rodriguez-Flores, No. 21-40277 (5th Cir. Feb. 11, 2022)

  • sexual assault of an adult under Tex. Pen. Code § 22.011(a)(1), (b); aggravated felony crime of violence; means/elements; divisibility

Ixcuna-Garcia v. Garland, No. 17-1867 (1st Cir. Feb. 8, 2022)

  • adverse credibility; corroborating evidence; notice and opportunity to explain; Ren; L-A-C-; one-year asylum deadline; Ladino men; Mayan women; Guatemala

Thomas v. Garland, No. 20-2144 (1st Cir. Feb. 8, 2022)

  • adjustment of status; discretion; police reports; drug arrest; fundamental fairness

Hesso v. Garland, No. 20-3737 (8th Cir. Feb. 9, 2022)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; sufficiency of evidence; presumption of delivery

Iredia v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-1379 (3d Cir. Feb. 11, 2022)

  • arriving alien; advance parole; applicant for admission; INA § 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I); TPS; Ortiz-Bouchet

Ruiz-Colmenares v. Garland, No. 20-72672 (9th Cir. Feb. 9, 2022)

  • CAT deferral; fear of robbery and kidnapping; credibility; deficient Notice of Referral to IJ; Mexico

Tzompantzi-Salazar v. Garland, No. 20-71514 (9th Cir. Feb. 9, 2022)

  • CAT protection; fear of robbery and kidnapping; credibility; deficient Notice of Referral; relocation; burdens; Mexico

Ojo v. Garland, No. 19-3237 (2d Cir. Feb. 9, 2022)

  • asylum; one-year deadline; extraordinary vs. changed circumstances; discretion; particularly serious crime; crimes against persons; conspiracy to commit wire fraud and use identification documents unlawfully Dai; pro se exhaustion; expert report; criminal deportees; prison conditions; Nigeria

 

2/7/22

Tomas-Ramos v. Garland, No. 20-1201 (4th Cir. Feb. 2, 2022)

  • reasonable fear review; standard of review; facially legitimate and bona fide reason; family-based particular social group; relocation; gangs; Guatemala

He v. Garland, No. 20-1328 (8th Cir. Feb. 4, 2022)

  • asylum; past persecution; well-founded fear of persecution; house church; inability to practice religion; Christian; China

Singh v. Garland, No. 20-70050 (9th Cir. Feb. 4, 2022)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; deficient NTA; statutory interpretation; Rodriguez; Laparra

Matter of F-R-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 460 (BIA 2022)

  • circumstance specific approach; amount of loss; INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); restitution; forfeiture under 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C); conspiracy; victim identity; reliability of evidence; INA § 101(a)(43)(U); particularly serious crime; Ghana

 

1/31/22

Osmani v. Garland, No. 20-3318 (7th Cir. Jan. 24, 2022)

  • jurisdiction; discretion; refugee waiver; INA 209(c); burdens; discretionary relief; motion to remand; impermissible fact finding

Dai v. Garland, No. 21-1315 (7th Cir. Jan. 24, 2022)

  • adverse credibility; dates; inconsistencies; house church; Christianity; China

Matter of Koat, 28 I&N Dec. 450 (BIA 2022)

  • aggravated felony theft offense; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); Iowa Code § 714.1; divisibility; Matter of Reyes; state legislative history; elements vs. means; disregarding state case law

Urrutia Robles v. Garland, No. 20-1504 (8th Cir. Jan. 26, 2022)

  • motion to reopen; equitable tolling; cumulative evidence

Chamu v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-13908 (11th Cir. Jan. 26, 2022)

  • law relating to a controlled substance; cocaine isomers; realistic probability test; Ramos; textual differences; mens rea and categorical approach

 

1/24/22

Ode to the Loaf

Da Graca v. Garland, No. 20-1607 (1st Cir. Jan. 18, 2022)

  • Rhode Island Gen. L. § 31-9-1; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); aggravated felony theft offense; joyriding; realistic probability test; state statutory framework as a whole

Matter of Laguerre, 28 I&N Dec. 437 (BIA 2022)

  • law relating to a controlled substance; INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); divisibility; N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(1); elements vs. means; double jeopardy; Mathis peak; disregarding state case law

Matter of Laparra, 28 I&N Dec. 425 (BIA 2022)

  • deficient NTA; in absentia motions to reopen; statutory interpretation; use of the word “the”; Niz-Chavez

USA v. Gomez Gomez, No. 17-20526 (5th Cir. Jan. 18, 2022)

  • aggravated assault in violation of Tex. Pen. Code § 22.01(a)(1); Borden; aggravated felony crime of violence; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); recklessness

Diaz Esparza v. Garland, No. 19-60699 (5th Cir. Jan. 17, 2022)

  • CIMT; res judicata; recklessness; deadly conduct in violation of Tex. Pen. Code § 22.05(a); evading arrest with a motor vehicle in violation of Tex. Pen. Code § 38.04; admission and adjustment of status

 

1/17/22

Takwi v. Garland, No. 20-9595 (10th Cir. Jan. 10, 2022)

  • explicit adverse credibility determination; rebuttable presumption; clean credibility; Matter of M-A-M- safeguards; Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC)

Diaz Ortiz v. Garland, No. 19-1620 (1st Cir. Jan. 10, 2022) (en banc)

  • asylum; evangelical Christians; adverse credibility; Gang Assessment Database; field interrogation observations; Boston police; inconsistencies; burdens; El Salvador; MS-13

Peulic v. Garland, No. 20-1587 (1st Cir. Jan. 11, 2022)

  • refugee adjustment of status; INA § 209(c) waiver; Matter of Jean; void for vagueness; assault with a dangerous weapon, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 15B(b); asylum; Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bonilla v. Garland, No. 19-1165 (1st Cir. Jan 12, 2022)

  • Record of Sworn Statement; reliability of government evidence; fundamental fairness; border interview; adverse credibility

Santos-Zacaria v. Garland, No. 19-60355 (5th Cir. Jan. 11, 2022)

  • reasonable relocation; exhaustion; motion to reconsider; transgender; homosexuality; Guatemala

Guzman-Torralva v. Garland, No. 21-3360 (6th Cir. Jan. 13, 2022)

  • ineffective assistance of counsel motion to reopen; Lozada; bar complaint

Jimenez-Sandoval v. Garland, No. 19-73193 (9th Cir. Jan. 13, 2022)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; notice to minors; Flores-Chavez v. Ashcroft

Togonon v. Garland, No. 19-71693 (9th Cir. Jan. 10, 2022)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(E)(i); arson in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 451(b); maliciously; mens rea; 18 U.S.C. § 844(i)

 

1/10/22

Cabrera v. Garland, No. 20-1943 (4th Cir. Jan. 6, 2022)

  • continuance; U-visa; good cause standard; reputable presumption where collateral relief is prima facie approvable

Herrera-Martinez v. Garland, No. 20-1423 (4th Cir. Jan. 5, 2022)

  • particular social group; prosecution witness; particularity; limiting language; fear of drug traffickers; credibility; Honduras

Aviles-Tavera v. Garland, No. 20-60587 (5th Cir. Jan. 4, 2022)

  • particularly serious crime; Texas Assault – Family Violence; res judicata; issue preclusion; change in law; USA v. Fuentes-Rodriguez; crime of violence under § 16(a); motion to reopen

Mutua v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-13129 (11th Cir. Jan. 5, 2022)

  • adjustment of status; discretion; standard of review; arrest but no conviction; administrative notice

 

1/03/22

 

Brito v. Garland, No. 20-1037 (1st Cir. Dec. 28, 2021)

  • bond; class-wide injunction; burdens; standing; INA § 242(f); INA § 236(a)

Bogle v. Garland, No. 19-72290 (9th Cir. Dec. 29, 2021)

  • “personal use” exception under INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); conviction under INA § 101(a)(48); circumstance specific approach; police report; Pereida v. Wilkinson

 

12/27/21

 

Nsimba v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-3565 (3d Cir. Dec. 22, 2021)

  • pattern or practice of persecution; well-founded fear; similarly situated family members; Union for Democracy and Social Progress; summons vs. arrest warrant; corruption & persecution; difficulty obtaining evidence; physical harm not required; reasonable relocation; Congo

Yasin v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2509 (3d Cir. Dec. 20, 2021)

  • VAWA motion to reopen; INA § 240(c)(7)(C)(iv)(III); discretion; INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii)

Ramirez-Medina v. Garland, No. 16-73325 (9th Cir. Dec. 22, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(b)(1)(C); multiple offenses; statutory interpretation; use of the singular; Dictionary Act; Pereida

Argueta Romero v. DHS, No. 20-12487 (11th Cir. Dec. 20, 2021)

  • jurisdiction; “in custody”; habeas; INA § 242(a)(5); INA § 101(g); self-removal; statutory interpretation & lenity; Chevron deference; 8 U.S.C. § 1326; definition of deportation

Rodriguez-Jimenez v. Garland, No. 21-70064 (9th Cir. Dec. 21, 2021)

  • due process; remand; prejudice; reviewing BIA decisions

Walcott v. Garland, No. 18-70393 (9th Cir. Dec. 22, 2021)

  • CIMT; small amount of marijuana; least culpable conduct; drug trafficking; evolving definition of CIMT; societal norms; deference to CIMT definition; divisibility

 

12/20/21

 

Juras v. Garland, No. 19-3001 (2d Cir. Dec. 17, 2021)

  • inadmissibility; withdrawal of application for admission; abandonment of LPR status; motion to reopen and underlying relief; jurisdiction

Garcia-Ortiz v. Garland, No. 20-3446 (8th Cir. Dec. 17, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(b); exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; suicide attempts; future hardship; Figueroa
  • https://www.immigrantslist.org/

Singh v. Garland, No. 19-60937 (5th Cir. Dec. 17, 2021)

  • due process; adverse credibility; IJ bias; extra-record evidence; Matter of R-K-K-; political opinion; persecution; Mann Party; BJP; India

Bonnet v. Garland, No. 19-2175 (1st Cir. Dec. 13, 2021))

  • CAT protection; criminal deportees; drug offenses; discounting expert testimony; Haiti

Tomczyk v. Garland, No. 16-72926 (9th Cir. Dec. 14, 2021) (en banc)

  • reinstatement; INA § 241(a)(5); illegal reentry; definition of illegal; entry; procedurally proper admission; waive through; statutory analysis; estoppel; retroactive reinstatement

 

12/13/21

 

Patel and G-G-S-

Ibrahim v. Garland, No. 20-60936 (5th Cir. Dec. 6, 2021)

  • Louisiana Rev. Stat. § 14:81; indecent behavior with juveniles; aggravated felony; separate and apart bond proceedings; issue exhaustion; harmless error; administrative notice; law of the case doctrine

Chavez-Chilel v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 21-1180 (3d Cir. Dec. 9, 2021)

  • gender-based asylum; particularity; deficient NTA; Niz-Chavez; termination; equity; Guatemala

 

12/6/21

 

Zometa-Orellana v. Garland, No. 21-0271 (6th Cir. Nov. 29, 2021)

  • gender/domestic violence based asylum; Matter of A-B-; A-R-C-G-; sufficiency of BIA analysis; unable or unwilling to protect; reasonable relocation; El Salvador

Pugin v. Garland, No. 20-1363 (4th Cir. Nov. 30, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(S); obstruction of justice; Chevron deference of criminal statute; ambiguity; Matter of Valenzuela Gallardo II; “relating to”; specific intent

Kumar v. Garland, No. 17-73412 (9th Cir. Nov. 30, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; omissions; inconsistencies; recitation demeanor; injury speculation; totality of circumstances; Alam; asylum; BSP; India

Villegas-Castro v. Garland, No. 20-9593 (10th Cir. Dec. 2, 2021)

  • IJ authority on BIA remand; amendment to asylum application; limiting language; sexual battery; particularly serious crime

Tarango-Delgado v. Garland, No. 19-9615 (10th Cir. Dec. 2, 2021)

  • reinstatement; Padilla; motion to reopen; gross miscarriage of justice; nunc pro tunc; unclean hands; right to file motion to reopen

Spagnol-Bastos v. Garland, No. 20-60139 (5th Cir. Dec. 3, 2021)

  • deficient NTA; in absentia motion to reopen; no-notice; updating address; Rodriguez v. Garland; Pereira and Niz-Chavez

 

12/2/21

 

Introduction

Interview with Jed Kurzban

Depositions and strategy

Direct testimony and cross-examination

How Justice is Served, by Jed Kurzban

Experts

Managing partner duties and closing remarks

 

11/29/21

 

Nababan v. Garland, No. 18-72548 (9th Cir. Nov. 23, 2021)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; evangelical Christians; Seventh Day Adventist; proselytizing; disfavored group; Indonesia

Jiang v. Garland, No. 19-1911 (2d Cir. Nov. 24, 2021)

  • Order to Show Cause; non-LPR cancellation of removal; motion to reopen; stop time rule; Niz-Chavez; Pereira

Mbonga v. Garland, No. 21-0269 (6th Cir. Nov. 22, 2021)

  • asylum; fundamental change in country conditions; burdens; change in political parties; Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; State Department reports; the Union for Democracy and Social Progress; Congo

 

11/22/21

 

Jathursan v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-10003 (11th Cir. Nov. 17, 2021)

  • asylum; failed asylum seeker; pattern or practice of persecution; failure to give reasoned consideration; issue exhaustion; CAT; Elam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP); Sri Lanka

Matter of A. Valenzuela, 28 I&N Dec. 418 (BIA 2021)

  • aggravated felony crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); violent force; 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); violence against property; carjacking in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 215(a)

De Carvalho v. Garland, No. 20-1711 (1st Cir. Nov. 17, 2021)

  • possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute in violation of Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 94C § 32A(a); particularly serious crime; Matter of Y-L-; presumptions; CAT; police officers; Matter of R-A-F- and de novo review; Cape Verde

Maradia v. Garland, No. 20-60714 (5th Cir. Nov. 17, 2021)

  • Order to Show Cause; in absentia motion to reopen; Niz-Chavez; Pereira

Goulart v. Garland, No. 19-72007 (9th Cir. Nov. 18, 2021)

  • equitable tolling; change in law; motion to reconsider; fiery concurrences and dissents

 

11/15/21

 

rulnanthy v. Garland, No. 19-60760 (5th Cir. Nov. 8, 2021)

  • CAT; credibility; credible fear interview transcript; interview summary; pattern or practice; ignoring evidence; Sri Lanka

Lopez Vazquez v. Garland, No. 18-70329 (9th Cir. Nov. 12, 2021)

  • reinstatement; gross miscarriage of justice; valid removal order at time of removal; benzylfentanyl

 

11/8/21

 

Cantor v. Garland, No. 19-73085 (9th Cir. Nov. 3, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; non-LPR cancellation of removal; stop-time rule; statutory interpretation

Matter of M-F-O-, 28 I&N Dec. 408 (BIA 2021)

  • deficient NTA; post-conclusion voluntary departure; INA § 240B(b); Posos-Sanchez; Viera-Garcia and Ordonez-Viera; Mendoza-Hernandez and Capula-Cortes; asylum; withholding nexus standard; indigenous; gang recruitment; Guatemala

Usubakunov v. Garland, No. 18-72974 (9th Cir. Nov. 1, 2021)

  • continuance; due process; right to counsel; detention conditions; continuances during the holidays; asylum; Kyrgyzstan

Gomes v. Garland, No. 20-2106 (1st Cir. Nov. 3, 2021)

  • asylum; workers’ rights movements; Red Notice; exhaustion; in absentia conviction; bribes; extortion; Brazil

VHV Jewelers, LLC v. Wolf, et al., No. 20-14788 (11th Cir. Nov. 1, 2021)

  • L-1A nonimmigrant visa; new office petition; executive; “direct”; manage a manager; APA; weighing evidence

Mashilingi v. Garland, No. 20-2169 (1st Cir. Nov. 2, 2021)

  • credibility; totality; visa applications; authenticating foreign public documents; asylum; Rwanda

Granados v. Garland, No. 20-2028 (4th Cir. Nov. 4, 2021)

  • CIMT; eluding in violation of Va. Code § 46.2-817(B); constitutionality; nondelegation doctrine; willful and wanton; mens rea for CIMT; recklessness; meaning of “so as”; affirmative defense

 

11/1/21

James v. Garland, No. 20-1666 (1st Cir. Oct. 25, 2021)

  • equitable tolling; claims processing rule; pro se appeals; filing deadline; at 8 C.F.R. § 1003.38(b)

Valle v. DOS, No. 19-14889 (11th Cir. Oct. 26, 2021)

  • doctrine of consular nonreviewability; subject matter jurisdiction; facially legitimate and bona fide for visa denial

Jaco v. Garland, No 20-60081 (5th Cir. Oct. 27, 2021)

  • A-R-C-G-; anti-circularity; A-B-­; domestic violence; non-married women; Chevron deference; social distinction; unable to leave; particular social group; Honduras

Pineda-Teruel v. Garland, No. 20-3516 (7th Cir. Oct. 27, 2021

  • withholding of removal; landowners; pro se; Quintero v. Garland; persecutors in U.S.; Honduras

Mabuneza v. Garland, No. 20-1799 (7th Cir. Oct. 28, 2021)

  • CAT deferral; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Tutsi; recent deportees; detention; Matter of J-R-G-P-; prison conditions; intent to torture; motion to reconsider

Arreaga-Bravo v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-3300 (3d Cir. Oct. 28, 2021)

  • CAT; standard of review; clearly erroneous; overturning IJ; mixed question of law and fact; willful blindness; Guatemalan women; Mara 18; Guatemala

 

10/25/21

Chavez Gonzalez v. Garland, No. 20-1924 (4th Cir. Oct. 20, 2021)

  • termination; Matter of S-O-G- & F-D-B-; IJ inherent authority; Auer/Kisor deference; administrative closure

Lopez Troche v. Garland, No. 20-1718 (1st Cir. Oct. 18, 2021)

  • adverse credibility standard; attorney inconsistency; reporting to police; withholding and CAT; HIV; LGBTQ; Honduras

 

10/21/21

 

Introduction

Interview with Bashir Ghazialam

Immigration situation in Afghanistan and how to assist the people of Afghanistan

Links to assist the people of Afghanistan (not affiliated with the podcast or Bashir):

 

10/18/21

 

Liang v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-3353 (3d Cir. Oct. 12, 2021)

  • past persecution; totality or cumulative analysis; standard of review; mixed question of law and fact; China; Christian

Matter of Kagumbas, 28 I&N Dec. 400 (BIA 2021)

  • I-130 petition; bonafide marriage; adequate transcript of hearing; indiscernible

Chery, et. al v. Garland, Nos. 18-1036, 19-223 (2d Cir. Oct. 15, 2021)

  • Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-277(a); controlled substance offense; aggravated felony drug trafficking; categorical approach; different punishments; same punishments; divisibility; state supreme court; Niz-Chavez, deficient NTAs, and jurisdiction; Appendix change of law suggestion

 

10/11/21

 

Hernandez-Hernandez v. Garland, No. 21-3210 (6th Cir. Oct. 4, 2021)

  • economic persecution; Guatemala; K’iche

Ramos Rafael v. Garland, No. 21-0233 (6th Cir. Oct. 7, 2021)

  • waiver of argument; unable or unwilling to protect; NTA deficiencies; Pereira and Niz-Chavez; due process; prejudice

Amaya v. Garland, No. 18-70060 (9th Cir. Oct. 7, 2021)

  • Valdivia-Flores; first-degree assault under Washington Revised Code § 9A.36; categorical approach; accomplice; aiding and abetting; mens rea; general intent; crime of violence; Borden; MS-13

Murry v. Garland, No. 20-3109 (7th Cir. Oct. 7, 2021)

  • asylum; past persecution; gay men; anti-sodomy laws; Jamaica; failure to report harm

Nyandwi v. Garland, No. 20-3215 (7th Cir. Oct. 8, 2021)

  • CAT deferral; cumulative or aggregate risk; holistic approach; statistical analysis; Burundi; Twa

 

10/4/21

 

Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 20-60008 (5th Cir. Sept. 27, 2021)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; deficient NTA; Niz Chavez; INA § 239(a)

Nolasco-Amaya v. Garland, No. 20-70187 (9th Cir. Sept. 28, 2021)

  • due process; pro se appeals; notice of appeal; putting BIA on notice; summary dismissal

 

9/27/21

 

Ghanem v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1475 (3d Cir. Sept. 22, 2021)

  • asylum; political opinion; nexus; mixed-motive; tribal; ignoring evidence; corroboration; reasonable explanation; CAT; Matter of J-F-F-; hypotheticals; Houthi; Yemen

Abushagif v. Garland, No. 19-60807 (5th Cir. Sept. 24, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; affidavits; inherently believable; burdens; asylum; CAT; Libya

Matter of Arambula-Bravo, 28 I&N Dec. 388 (BIA 2021)

  • NTA; jurisdiction; Niz-Chavez; Pereira; parole termination; charging document; 8 C.F.R. § 212.5(e)(2)(i); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.13; INA § 274(A)(1)(a)(ii); aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(N); alien smuggling

Tino v. Garland, No. 20-3508 (8th Cir. Sept. 20, 2021)

  • Pereira; Niz-Chavez; jurisdiction; NTA; asylum; Guatemala; gangs

Berdiev v. Garland, No. 20-9542 (10th Cir. Sept. 21, 2021)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; equitable tolling; ineffective assistance of counsel; due diligence; Matter of Zmijewska; ten-year bar for failure to voluntarily depart; Chenery

Alfred v. Garland, No. 19-72903 (9th Cir. Sept. 22, 2021)

  • Valdivia-Flores; Washington robbery; categorical approach; accomplice; aiding and abetting

Li v. Garland, No. 18-70943 (9th Cir. Sept. 21, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; omissions; inconsistencies; Iman v. Barr; totality; respondent confusion and sloppy testimony; misuse of pronouns; China; house church; misrepresentation in application

Cui v. Garland, No. 18-72030 (9th Cir. Sept. 23, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; exceptional circumstances; appeal of in absentia removal order; immigration court mistakes; Matter of Guzman-Arguera

 

9/20/21

 

Matter of N-V-G-, 28 I&N Dec. 380 (BIA 2021)

  • INA § 212(h) waiver; Minn. Stat. § 609.222(1); refugee adjustment of status under INA § 209; admission; lawfully admitted for permanent residence; legislative history; crime of domestic violence; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); crime of violence aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(F)

Alcaraz-Enriquez v. Garland, No. 15-71553 (9th Cir. Sept. 16, 2021)

  • fundamental fairness; INA § 240(b)(4)(B); probativeness of evidence; admissibility of evidence; DHS burdens; right to cross examination; hearsay; credibility; Dai; particularly serious crime

9/13/21

 

Gayles v. Warden, et al., No. 19-3241 (3d Cir. Sept. 3, 2021)

  • mandatory detention; due process; Josephhearing; burdens; INA § 242(f)(1)

Farah v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12462 (11th Cir. Sept. 8, 2021)

  • prolonged detention; habeas; INA § 241(a); Akinwale; controlled substance; Minn. Stat. §§ 152.025, 609.222; aggravated felony crime of violence; Matter of Jean; refugee adjustment § 209; “reasoned consideration”; withholding & CAT; Somalia

Talamantes-Enriquez v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-15080 (11th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; crime of violence; physical force; divisibility; charging document; post-conviction relief; ignoring state court judge actions

Sasay v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-1273 (3d Cir. Sept. 10, 2021)

  • CIMT; intent to defraud; divisibility; Matter of Serna; 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a); aiding and abetting

Marquez v. Garland, No. 18-3363 (2d Cir. Sept. 7, 2021)

  • crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; Matter of Soram; retroactivity; N.Y. Pen. L. § 260.10(1)

Diaz-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 13-73719 (9th Cir. Sept. 10, 2021)

  • crime of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; unitary concept; criminal negligence; Matter of Soram; Cal. Pen. Code § 273a(a); Chevron; statutory interpretation; deference to panel

Benedicto v. Garland, No. 18-73237 (9th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)

  • mental illness; mental health; Matter of M-A-M-; Matter of M‑J-K-; due process; qualified representative; termination; CAT; Dominican Republic

Iraheta-Martinez v. Garland, No. 18-72692 (9th Cir. Sept. 7, 2021)

  • withholding-only; due process; reinstatement; exhaustion; futility; constitutional claims; statutory interpretation; “notwithstanding clause”; MS-13; LGBTQ; gang opposition; El Salvador

Alam v. Garland, No. 19-72744 (9th Cir. Sept. 8, 2021) (en banc)

  • credibility; “single factor rule”; totality of the circumstances; lie

Etemadi v. Garland, No. 18-72318 (9th Cir. Sept. 9, 2021)

  • law-of-the-case; credibility; inconsistencies; falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus; error of fact; document authenticity; CAT; affidavits; Christianity; Iran; waiver/exhaustion; changed conditions; frivolous finding

9/6/21

 

Singh v. Att’y Gen U.S., No. 20-1778 (3d Cir. Aug. 31, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; controlled substance offense; “alien” at time of offense; Costello; Rossi;denaturalization; rule of lenity; statutory interpretation; Chevron; ambiguity; reasonable interpretation

B.C. v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1408 (3d Cir. Sept. 1, 2021)

  • credibility; inconsistency; asylum; memorizing testimony; Pidgin English; sue process; right to interpreter; Cameroon

Rodriguez-Ramirez v. Garland, No. 19-70506 (9th Cir. Sept. 1, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; standard of review; inconsistency; omission

Giha v. Garland, No. 15-73085 (9th Cir. Sept. 2, 2021)

  • derivative citizenship; burden shifting framework; summary judgment; common law marriage and separation in Peru

Gutierrez v. Garland, No. 19-60408 (5th Cir. Aug. 31, 2021)

  • convention against torture; government acquiesce; willful blindness; MS-13; Honduras

8/30/21

 

Munyuh v. Garland, No. 19-72890 (9th Cir. Aug. 25, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; cherry-picking; inconsistencies; sexual violence; rape; Cameroon

Orozco-Lopez, et al. v. Garland, No. 20-70127 (9th Cir. Aug. 25, 2021)

  • reinstatement; reasonable fear proceedings; reasonable fear appeal; right to counsel; prejudice; rule of lenity; statutory construction

Afanador v. Garland, No. 17-70127 (9th Cir. Aug. 27, 2021)

  • retroactivity; CIMT; moral turpitude; Cal. Pen. Code § 314.1;Matter of Cortes Medina

Singh v. Garland, No. 19-704 (2d Cir. Aug. 25, 2021)

  • asylum; reasonable relocation; Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar; Mann party; Sikh; India

Mumad v. Garland, No. 20-2140 (8th Cir. Aug. 27, 2021)

  • particularly serious crime; robbery; void for vagueness

Murugan v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-13715 (11th Cir. Aug. 24, 2021)

  • asylum; past persecution; Tamil; Sri Lanka

8/23/21

 

Germain v. U.S. Att’y General, No. 20-11419 (11th Cir. Aug. 18, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(P); relating to document fraud; 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a); cancellation of removal;

Lopez-Marroquin v. Garland, No. 18-72922 (9th Cir. Aug. 18, 2021)

  • Veh. Code § 10851(a); categorical approach; divisibility; aggravated felony; 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(G); Duenas-Alvarez v. Holder; Mathis v. United States

Guerrier v. Garland, No. 20-70115 (9th Cir. Aug. 16, 2021)

  • jurisdiction; credible fear determination; expedited removal; colorable constitutional claim; due process; DHS v. Thuraissigiam

Flores-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 19-70177 (9th Cir. Aug. 16, 2021)

  • False claim to U.S. citizenship; INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(ii); adjustment of status; due process; prejudice

Dai v. Garland, No. 15-70776 (9th Cir. Aug. 20, 2021)

  • Garland v. Dai;adverse credibility; presumption of credibility; deemed credible; persuasiveness

Liang v. Garland, No. 18-2257 (2d Cir. Aug. 19, 2021)

  • Asylum; withholding of removal; Convention Against Torture; credibility; factual omission; factual inconsistency; substantial evidence

Sharma v. Garland, No. 20-70238 (9th Cir. Aug. 17, 2021)

  • Asylum; withholding of removal; reasonable fear of persecution; Convention Against Torture; voluntary departure; jurisdiction

Villalobos Sura v. Garland, No. 20-71839 (9th Cir. Aug. 17, 2021)

  • Withholding of removal; serious nonpolitical crime bar; probable cause; INTERPOL Red Notice; Convention Against Torture; government acquiescence; El Salvador

Plancarte Sauceda v. Garland, No. 19-73312 (9th Cir. Aug. 20, 2021)

  • particular social group; immutable characteristic; asylum; withholding of removal; Convention Against Torture; government acquiescence; venue

8/16/21

 

Matter of Hernandez-Romero, 28 I&N Dec. 374 (BIA 2021)

  • NACARA; cancellation of removal; statutory construction

Sanchez-Ruano v. Garland, No. 18-71760 (9th Cir. Aug. 11, 2021)

  • Cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(b); inadmissibility grounds; INA § 212; deportability grounds; INA § 237; removability vs relief

Mohamed v. Garland, No. 20-1829 (8th Cir. Aug. 13, 2021)

  • Convention Against Torture; fact-finding; Matter of J-F-F-; more likely than not; government acquiescence; Somalia

Yusuf v. Garland, No. 20-2316 (8th Cir. Aug. 9, 2021)

  • Motion to reopen; Convention Against Torture; changed country conditions; sua sponte; LGBT; Somalia; due process

Gonzales Quecheluno v. Garland, No. 20-2200 (8th Cir. Aug. 12, 2021)

  • Motion to reopen; continuance; jurisdiction; admin closure; Matter of Sanchez Sosa; U Visa;

Gonzalez Hernandez v. Garland, No. 19-60274 (5th Cir. Aug. 13, 2021)

  • Motion to reconsider; motion to reopen; change in law; aggravated felony; crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); 18 U.S.C. § 16(b); Sessions v. Dimaya; El Salvador

8/9/21

 

Simpson v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-11156 (11th Cir. Aug. 4, 2021)

  • Stat. § 790.23(1)(a); felon in possession; INA § 237(a)(2)(C); ammunition; divisibility; categorical and modified categorical approach; jury instructions

Maie v. Garland, No. 19-73099 (9th Cir. Aug. 2, 2021)

  • CIMT; theft; Haw. Rev. Stat. § 708-833(1); Model Penal Code; deprive; Matter of Diaz-Lizarraga; Matter of Burbano

Gilbertson v. Garland, No. 20-2355 (8th Cir. Aug. 2, 2021)

  • particularly serious crimes; withholding of removal; Matter of G-G-S-; mental health; Shazi v. Wilkinson; drug trafficking; Matter of Y-L-; Los Zetas; Mexico

Rosales-Reyes v. Garland, No. 20-2417 (8th Cir. Aug. 4, 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; drug cartels; CAT; relocation; Mexico

Nolasco v. Garland, No. 20-1034 (4th Cir. Aug. 2, 2021)

  • Particular social groups; asylum; asylum; socially distinct; CAT protection; former gang membership; Matter of M-E-V-G-; Matter of W-G-R-; El Salvador

Vasquez-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 19-71445 (9th Cir. Aug. 5, 2021)

  • 8 U.S.C. § 1252(d)(1); issue exhaustion; futility; Matter of E-A-G-; particular social group; imputed gang membership; CAT; safe relocation; El Salvador.

Romero v. Garland, No. 17-70534 (9th Cir. Aug. 2, 2021)

  • false claim to citizenship; INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(ii); burdens of proof; admission

Parada-Orellana v. Garland, No. 19-60645 (5th Cir. Aug. 6, 2021)

  • Motions to reopen; INA § 240A(b); non-LPR cancellation of removal; hardship; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B); in absentia order

8/2/21

 

Matter of A-C-A-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 351 (A.G. 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; DHS stipulations

Matter of Aguilar-Barajas, 28 I&N Dec. 354 (BIA 2021)

  • aggravated statutory rape; Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-506(c); crime of child abuse under INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); Esquivel-Quintana

Marinelarena v. Garland, No. 14-72003 (9th Cir. July 26, 2021)

  • Cal. Pen. Code § 182; Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11352(a); divisibility; burdens; Pereida

Estella Orellana v. Mayorkas, et al., No. 20-16092 (9th Cir. July 28, 2021)

  • naturalization; INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i) aggravated felony; + $10,000; Cal Pen. Code § 550(b)(3); insurance fraud; Harveywaiver; motion to dismiss

Galvan v. Garland, No. 20-1485 (4th Cir. July 27, 2021)

  • jurisdiction; discretion; non-LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(b); exceptional and extremely unusual hardship

Mencia-Medina v. Garland, No. 20-1724 (8th Cir. July 29, 2021)

  • issue exhaustion; VAWA cancellation of removal; BIA factfinding; discretionary determinations

Vazquez-Guerra v. Garland, No. 18-60828 (5th Cir. July 29, 2021)

  • family-based particular social group; nexus; one central reason; nexus for withholding of removal; Mexico

Singh v. Garland, No. 17-2368 (2d Cir. July 28, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; inconsistency; omission; Sikh; Shiromani Akali Da Amritsar (SADA); India

Omowole v. Garland, No. 20-2285 (7th Cir. July 29, 2021)

  • credibility; fraud; sham marriage

7/26/21

 

Matter of O-R-E-, 28 I&N Dec. 330 (BIA 2021)

  • equitable doctrine of latches; due process; genocide; Rwanda; INA § 212(a)(3)(E)(ii), (iii); credibility; material misrepresentation

Meza v. Garland, No. 20-2193 (7th Cir. July 20, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal INA § 240A(b); jurisdiction; good moral character; weighing of evidence; DUI

Orpinel-Robledo v. Garland, No. 20-2624 (8th Cir. July 19, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal INA § 240A(b); due process; change of judges; use of the word “the”

Avendano-Elvira v. Garland, No. 20-2775 (8th Cir. July 21, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal INA § 240A(b); due process; change of judges; right to a specific immigration judge

7/19/21

 

Matter of Cruz-Valdez, 28 I&N Dec. 326 (A.G. 2021)

  • administrative closure; Matter of Castro-Tum

Valarezo-Tirado v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-1705 (3d Cir. July 15, 2021)

  • reasonable fear interview; reinstatement; withholding-only; adequacy of IJ decision; CAT

B.R. v. Garland, No. 19-70386 (9th Cir. July 12, 2021)

  • termination; regulatory violations; due process; service of NTA on minor; egregious constitutional violation; evidence of alienage; CAT; drug cartels; Mexico

Lalayan v. Garland, No. 18-73062 (9th Cir. July 13, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; plausibility; demeanor; Armenia

Singh v. Garland, No. 19-60937 (5th Cir. July 12, 2021)

  • stay of removal; due process; adverse credibility; IJ bias; extra-record evidence; Matter of R-K-K-; political opinion; persecution; Mann Party; BJP; India

Sanchez-Gonzalez v. Garland, No. 20-3938 (6th Cir. July 16, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; jurisdiction; INA § 241(a)(5); reinstatement; gross miscarriage of justice; Ohio Revised Code § 2943.031(A); duty to advise immigration consequences

Coto-Albarenga v. Garland, No. 20-2539 (8th Cir. July 12, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; credible fear interview; discrepancies

Fofana v. Mayorkas, No. 20-1623 (8th Cir. July 15, 2021)

  • material support of terrorism; issue preclusion; collateral estoppel; United Liberation Movement

Peh v. Garland, No. 20-1508 (8th Cir. July 16, 2021)

  • realistic probability test; Iowa Code § 710.10(3); “entice”; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment

Ochoa-Salgado v. Garland, No. 19-60519 (5th Cir. July 16, 2021)

  • drug trafficking aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); delivery; offer to sell; rule of orderliness; categorical approach; Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112

7/12/21

 

Guerrero Trejo v. Garland, No. 20-60353 (5th Cir. July 2, 2021)

  • INA § 240A(b); non-LPR cancellation of removal; hardship; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B); Guerrero-Lasprilla

Bautista-Bautista v. Garland, No. 20-1534 (8th Cir. July 6, 2021)

  • particular social group; convention against torture; CAT; tattoos; Seguridad; Guatemala

Quintanilla v. Garland, No. 18-67 (2d Cir. July 9, 2021)

  • withholding of removal; particular social group; Nasrallah; gangs; MS-13; El Salvador

Posos-Sanchez v. Garland, No. 17-72002 (9th Cir. July 7, 2021)

  • admission; amnesty; INA § 240B(b); voluntary departure; Niz-Chavezand Pereira; NTA

Escobar Santos v. Garland, No. 17-72334 (9th Cir. July 9, 2021)

  • forgery in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 470a; aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(R)

7/5/21

Odds and Ends

  • Flores settlement
  • Patel v. Garland!!!!

Johnson v. Chavez, No. 19-897 (U.S. June 29, 2021)

Matter of S-L-H- & L-B-L-, 28 I&N Dec. 318 (BIA 2021)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; exceptional circumstances; de novo review; weather; traffic; tardiness; sufficiency of evidence

Perez-Trujillo v. Garland, Nos. 11-1481, 17-1586 (1st Cir. June 28, 2021)

  • particular social group; gang recruitment; former gang member; MS-13; El Salvador; Special Immigrant Juvenile status (SIJ); discretion; Matter of Arai; jurisdiction

Portillo-Flores v. Garland, No. 19-1591 (4th Cir. June 29, 2021) (en banc)

  • asylum; past persecution; death threats; children; family based particular social group; El Salvador; MS-13

Adeeko v. Garland, No. 19-60703 (5th Cir. July 1, 2021)

  • child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); online solicitation of a minor in violation of Tex. Pen. Code § 33.021(c); categorical approach

Parzych v. Garland, No. 20-2317 (7th Cir. June 28, 2021)

  • categorical approach; modified categorical approach; divisibility; elements; means; jury instructions; Mathis peek

Mejia-Padilla v. Garland, No. 20-1720 (7th Cir. June 29, 2021)

  • motions to reopen; defective NTA; Pereira; non-LPR cancellation of removal; stop-time rule; equitable tolling

Brathwaite v. Garland, No. 20-27 (2d Cir. July 1, 2021)

  • criminal conviction; finality; Chevron deference; Matter of J.M. Acosta; N.Y. Crim. Pen. L. § 460.30

6/28/21

 

Avila de la Rosa v. Garland, No. 20-1956 (7th Cir. June 24, 2021)

  • defective notice to appear; NTA; prejudice; claims processing rule; Pereira; Niz-Chavez; motion to terminate

Matter of Moradel, 28 I&N Dec. 310 (BIA 2021)

  • Special Immigrant Juvenile status; canon of statutory construction – rule of the last antecedent; statutory interpretation; N.J. Stat. § 2C:35-10(a)(4); simple possession; 30 grams or less of marijuana; circumstance specific approach

Bogle v. Garland, No. 19-72290 (9th Cir. June 23, 2021)

  • personal use exception under INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); conviction under INA § 101(a)(48); circumstances specific approach; police report; Pereida v. Wilkinson

Kaur v. Garland, No. 18-72786 (9th Cir. June 21, 2021)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; change in circumstances; personal circumstances; family-based particular social group; persecution by members of group; retribution; personal vendetta; acquiescence; CAT; relocation; women; India

Zamorano v. Garland, No. 19-72893 (9th Cir. June 25, 2021)

  • prehearing voluntary departure under INA § 240B(a); due process; IJ duty to inquire – asylum; 8 C.F.R. § 1240.11; U-Visa

Moreno-Osorio v. Garland, No. 20-1035 (4th Cir. June 23, 2021)

  • asylum; withholding of removal; CAT; Mara 18; Honduras; particularity; unlawfully wounding in violation of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-51; crime of violence; Bordon

6/21/21

 

 

Matter of A-B-, 28 I&N Dec. 307 (A.G. 2021)

  • particular social group; Matter of A-B-; Matter of A-B- II; Matter of A-R-C-G-

Matter of L-E-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 304 (A.G. 2021)

  • particular social group; Matter of L-E-A- II; family nexus; Niz-Chavez motion to terminate

Thamotar v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12019 (11th Cir. June 17, 2021)

  • asylum; withholding of removal; discretion; family unification; 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(e); Sri Lanka; Tamil

Darby v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2107 (3rd Cir. June 17, 2021)

  • changed country condition motion to reopen; CAT; materiality; prima facie standard; sua sponte; Jamaica

6/14/21

 

Sanchez v. Mayorkas, No. 20-315 (U.S. June 7, 2021)

Bordon v. U.S., No. 19-5410 (U.S. June 10, 2021)

  • ACCA; violent felony; crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); elements clause; recklessness; all mens rea

Matter of D-G-C-, 28 I&N Dec. 297 (BIA 2021)

  • asylum; one year filing deadline; changed circumstances; definition of material

Veloz v. Garland, No. 19-4111 (2d Cir. June 7, 2021)

  • New York petit larceny; N.Y. Pen. L. § 155.25; intent to appropriate; N.Y. Pen. L. § 155.00(4)(b); CIMT; Matter of Diaz-Lizarraga

Tobias-Chaves v. Garland, No. 20-4020 (6th Cir. June 8, 2021)

  • procedural due process; prejudice; jurisdiction; venue; prejudice

Soto-Soto v. Garland, No. 20-70587 (9th Cir. June 11, 2021)

  • standard of review; clear error; de novo; CAT deferral; indigenous women; Mexico; Interpol Red Notice

6/7/21

 

Ep. preview with United States v. Abdul Aziz (1st Cir. Jun. 2, 2021)

  • Massachusetts marijuana and hemp

Garland v. Dai, No. 19-1155 (U.S. June 1, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; presumption of credibility; deemed credible; persuasiveness

Garcia-Deleon v. Garland, No. 20-3957 (6th Cir. June 4, 2021)

  • administrative closure; Castro-Tum; regulatory interpretation; provisional unlawful presence waiver; 8 C.F.R § 212.7(e)(4)(iii)

Padilla-Franco v. Garland, No. 20-2415 (8th Cir. June 2, 2021)

  • asylum; past persecution; particular social group; extortion; BIA standard of review

Rubalcaba v. Garland, No. 17-70845 (9th Cir. June 2, 2021)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; departure bar; Kisor deference

Sanchez-Castro v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-15091 (11th Cir. June 1, 2021)

  • nexus; family-based particular social group; government acquiescence; MS-13; El Salvador

5/31/21

 

United States v. Palomar-Santiago, No. 20-437 (U.S. May 24, 2021)

  • 8 U.S.C. § 1326(d); illegal reentry; Leocal; motion to reopen; change in law

Quintero v. Garland, No. 19-1904 (4th Cir. May 26, 2021)

  • presumption of credibility; duty to develop record; Matter of W-Y-C- & H-O-B-; pro serespondents; acquiescence; aggregate harm; Convention Against Torture; El Salvador; MS-13

Dawson v. Garland, No. 19-73124 (9th Cir. May 26, 2021)

  • Convention Against Torture; past torture; protective order; changed personal conditions; relocation; Jamaica

Vazquez Romero v. Garland, No. 15-72947 (9th Cir. May 28, 2021)

  • applicant for admission; returning LPR; Matter of Valenzuela-Felix; INA § 101(a)(13)(C); CIMT; California petty theft; bond

Tacuri-Tacuri v. Garland, No. 19-1687 (1st Cir. May 24, 2021)

  • INA § 240A(b); non-LPR cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship

Rojas v. Garland, No. 19-1944 (8th Cir. May 27, 2021)

  • knows or has reason to believe illicit trafficker in a controlled substance; INA § 212(a)(2)(C); probable cause; criminal alien bar; INA § 242(a)(2)(C)

5/24/21

 

Islam v. DHS, No. 19-13287 (11th Cir. May 20, 2021)

  • INA § 212(a)(3)(B); membership in a terrorist organization; definition of Tier III terrorist organization; jurisdiction; issue preclusion; collateral estoppel; “actually litigated”; void for vagueness; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP

Figueroa v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1419 (3d Cir. May 19, 2021)

  • fugitive disentitlement doctrine; unable or unwilling to control; complete helplessness; condone; consent, acquiesce, or willful blindness; CAT; withholding gang violence; Honduras

Maniar v. Garland, No. 18-60667 (5th Cir. May 20, 2021)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(D); conspiracy; aggravated felony; Chenery; Niz-Chavez; jurisdiction

Carino v. Garland, No. 18-72985 (9th Cir. May 18, 2021)

  • derivative citizenship; INA § 321(a); legal custody; nunc pro tunc state court orders; Congressional intent; federalism; Philippines; Convention Against Torture; drugs

5/22/21

Special Episode – Interview with John Pratt, Partner at KKTP

 

Introduction
Interview with John Pratt
EB-5 visas and Regional Center Program
AILA National elections
Click this link to learn more about John!

5/17/21

 

Cheneau v. Garland, No. 15-70636 (9th Cir. May 13, 2021) (en banc)

  • derivative citizenship; former INA § 321(a)(5) (repealed); statutory interpretation; cannon against superfluity; cannon when Congress uses language it omits elsewhere; Congressional intent; family unity; history of the INA

Hernandez-Galand v. Garland, No. 17-70538 (9th Cir. May 12, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; INA § 240(b)(5)(C)(i); exceptional circumstances; totality of circumstances; persuasiveness of affidavit

Blanc v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12508 (11th Cir. May 11, 2021)

  • Pre-conclusion voluntary departure under INA § 240B(a); jurisdiction; BIA authority; factfinding; discretion; Patel and Kurapati

Nguyen v. Garland, No. 19-60342 (5th Cir. May 12, 2021)

  • conviction; INA § 101(a)(43)(A); criminal alien jurisdictional bar; unsigned documents

Mirza v. Garland, No. 20-60132 (5th Cir. May 12, 2021)

  • termination of asylum; INA § 212(b)(2)(A)(iv); Matter of A-H-; probable cause standard; danger; reasonable grounds; Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM); Chevron deference

Thayalan v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2270 (3d Cir. May 10, 2021)

  • past persecution; asylum; pattern of mistreatment; extortion; Matter of A-B- II, Sri Lanka; Tamil

5/10/21

 

Arcos Sanchez v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-1843 (3d Cir. May 5, 2021)

  • administrative closure; regulations; regulatory interpretation; Kisor deference; DACA

Romero v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-3705 (3d Cir. May 5, 2021)

  • reinstatement; withholding only proceedings; jurisdiction; notice of referral; Form I-863; Pereira

K.A. v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 17-3640 (3d Cir. May 4, 2021)

  • second-degree New Jersey robbery in violation of N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:15-1; aggravated felony “theft offense” under INA § 101(a)(43)(G); New Jersey theft; consent through fraud; affirmative defense

Guzman-Garcia v. Garland, No. 20-1966 (7th Cir. May 3, 2021)

  • asylum; withholding of removal; well-founded fear; gangs; Mexico

Gonzalez-Veliz v. Garland, No. 19-72090 (9th Cir. May 4, 2021)

  • abandonment of asylum application; biometrics; continuance; good cause

Artola v. Garland, No. 19-1286 (8th Cir. May 5, 2051)

  • LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(a); TPS; admission; INA § 244(e); statutory construction; plain text

Route v. Garland, No. 19-72854 (9th Cir. May 6, 2021)

  • CIMT within 5 years; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(i); Micronesia; Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003; US-FSM COFA § 141; Matter of Alyazji; admission; Chevron deference; unpublished BIA decision

5/3/21

 

Niz-Chavez v. Garland, No. 19-863 (U.S. Apr. 29, 2021)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; stop-time rule; implication of the indefinite article “a”; statutory interpretation; Dictionary Act; motion to reopen; claims processing rule

Tetteh v. Garland, No. 19-2357 (4th Cir. Apr. 27, 2021)

  • pardons; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(vi); Georgia First Offender Act, Ga. Code Ann. § 42-8-60; former INA § 212(c); definition of conviction

Jimenez-Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 19-2467 (4th Cir. Apr. 29, 2021)

  • U-visa; waivers; Chenrey doctrine; IJ authority; INA § 212(d)(3)(A)(ii); regulatory interpretation; limits of expressio unius canon

USA v. Figueroa-Beltran, No. 16-10388 (9th Cir. Apr. 27, 2021)

  • Nevada Revised Statute § 453.337; 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a); divisibility; drug trafficking; sentence enhancement

4/26/21

 

Happy anniversary, and thank you!

Thompson v. Garland, No. 17-3494 (2d Cir. Apr. 22, 2021)

  • second-degree assault under New York Penal Law § 120.05(1); crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); 18 U.S.C. § 16(a)

4/19/21

 

Matter of Mensah, 28 I&N Dec. 288 (BIA 2021)

  • conditional lawful permanent resident; CLPR; petition to remove condition; fraud or willful misrepresentation; INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(i); USCIS interview

Aristy-Rosa v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2105 (3d Cir. Mar. 16, 2021)

  • pardons; definition of conviction; full faith and credit; INA § 237(a)(2)(B); INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(vi); Matter of Suh

Arroyo v. Garland, No. 19-3032 (8th Cir. Apr. 14, 2021)

  • controlled substances offense; INA § 212(a)(2)(a)(i)(II); possession of marijuana; Iowa Code § 124.401(5); divisibility; different punishments; motion to reconsider

Zarate-Alvarez v. Garland, No. 19-9570 (10th Cir. Mar. 23, 2021)

  • INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-6-401(1)(a), (7)(b)(I); non-LPR cancellation of removal

Alvarado-Herrera v. Garland, No. 18-70191 (9th Cir. Apr. 13, 2021)

  • reasonable fear interview; reinstatement; expedited removal procedures; Convention Against Torture; 18th Street Gang; willful blindness of police; Honduras

4/12/21

Rodriguez-Tornes v. Garland, No. 19-71104 (9th Cir. Apr. 5, 2021)

  • asylum; nexus; Matter of A-B-; Matter of A-B- II, feminism political opinion; particular social group of Mexican females; reman; expert

Matter of A-S-M-, 28 I&N Dec. 282 (BIA 2021)

  • INA § 241(a)(5); reinstatement; withholding of removal; country of removal; INA § 241(b)(2)(A)–(E); 8 C.F.R. § 1241.8(e); 8 C.F.R. § 1241.31

Sánchez-Vásquez v. Garland, No. 20-1661 (1st Cir. Apr. 7, 2021)

  • particular social group; anti-gang; Evangelical Christian; El Salvador; administrative notice; pro se respondent

Cabrera Martinez v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-14110 (11th Cir. Apr. 7, 20

  • asylum; past persecution; economic persecution; “reasoned consideration”; Cuban journalists; Cuba

Orellana-Recinos v. Garland, No. 19-9596 (10th Cir. Apr. 5, 2021)

  • asylum; nexus; family based particular social group; gang recruitment; MS-13; El Salvador

Quiroa-Motta v. Garland, No. 20-1425 (1st Cir. Apr. 6, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; ineffective assistance of counsel; due diligence

Aspilaire v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12605 (11th Cir. Apr. 6, 2021)

  • aggravated felony, INA § 101(a)(43)(E)(ii); felon in possession of a firearm, Fla. Stat. § 790.23(1)(a); antique firearms exception; realistic probability test

Diaz-Flores v. Garland, No. 17-72563 (9th Cir. Apr. 6, 2021)

  • definition of a CIMT; first-degree burglary of a dwelling under Oregon Rev. Stat. § 164.2Matter of J-G-D-F-; dwelling

Ahmed v. Garland, No. 19-3480 (8th Cir. Apr. 8, 2021)

  • law relating to a controlled substance; INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); Minn. Stat. § 152.025; disability; BIA factfinding; asylum; Somalia

9/27/21

 

Ghanem v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1475 (3d Cir. Sept. 22, 2021)

  • asylum; political opinion; nexus; mixed-motive; tribal; ignoring evidence; corroboration; reasonable explanation; CAT; Matter of J-F-F-; hypotheticals; Houthi; Yemen

Abushagif v. Garland, No. 19-60807 (5th Cir. Sept. 24, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; affidavits; inherently believable; burdens; asylum; CAT; Libya

Matter of Arambula-Bravo, 28 I&N Dec. 388 (BIA 2021)

  • NTA; jurisdiction; Niz-Chavez; Pereira; parole termination; charging document; 8 C.F.R. § 212.5(e)(2)(i); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.13; INA § 274(A)(1)(a)(ii); aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(N); alien smuggling

Tino v. Garland, No. 20-3508 (8th Cir. Sept. 20, 2021)

  • Pereira; Niz-Chavez; jurisdiction; NTA; asylum; Guatemala; gangs

Berdiev v. Garland, No. 20-9542 (10th Cir. Sept. 21, 2021)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; equitable tolling; ineffective assistance of counsel; due diligence; Matter of Zmijewska; ten-year bar for failure to voluntarily depart; Chenery

Alfred v. Garland, No. 19-72903 (9th Cir. Sept. 22, 2021)

  • Valdivia-Flores; Washington robbery; categorical approach; accomplice; aiding and abetting

Li v. Garland, No. 18-70943 (9th Cir. Sept. 21, 2021)

  • adverse credibility; omissions; inconsistencies; Iman v. Barr; totality; respondent confusion and sloppy testimony; misuse of pronouns; China; house church; misrepresentation in application

Cui v. Garland, No. 18-72030 (9th Cir. Sept. 23, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; exceptional circumstances; appeal of in absentia removal order; immigration court mistakes; Matter of Guzman-Arguera

4/8/21

Special Episode – Interview with Helena Tetzeli, Partner at KKTP

 

Introduction
Interview with Helena Tetzeli
Click this link to learn more about Helena!

4/5/21

Hylton v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-14825 (11th Cir. Mar. 31, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(iii); statutory interpretation; denaturalization; Chevron and Brand-X deference; rule of lenity; prior-construction canon

Matter of Al Sabsabi, 28 I&N Dec. 269 (BIA 2021)

  • CIMT; impairing government functions; conspiracy, underlying offense; 18 U.S.C. § 371; selling counterfeit currency in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 473; divisibility

Matter of Vucetic, 28 I&N Dec. 276 (BIA 2021)

  • CIMT; DUI; unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in violation of New York Vehicle & Traffic Law § 511(3)(a)(i); mens rea; recklessness; realistic probability test

Cruz Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 19-60456 (5th Cir. Apr. 1, 2021)

  • res judicata; Texas robbery; nucleus of operative facts

Meza-Vazquez v. Garland, No. 15-72672 (9th Cir. Apr. 1, 2021)

  • Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”); 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d); substantially justified; asylum; LGBT; Mexico

Silva v. Garland, No. 16-70130 (9th Cir. Mar. 30, 2021)

  • CIMT; petty theft; Cal. Pen Code § 484(a); categorical approach; changed country condition motions to reopen; Philippines; retroactivity; Matter of Diaz Lizzaraga

3/29/21

Alejos-Perez v. Garland, No. 19-60256 (5th Cir. Mar. 22, 2021)

  • law relating to a controlled substance; INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.1161(a); divisibility; ambiguity; burdens; drugs as elements; jury instructions; different punishments; intermediate state court decisions

Njilefac v. Garland, No. 20-60520 (5th Cir. Mar. 24, 2021)

  • affidavits; presumption of delivery; due process; motion to reconsider

Lopez-Chavez v. Garland, No. 18-3735 (8th Cir. Mar. 22, 2021)

  • aggravated felony; Moncrieffe v. Holder; INA § 101(a)(43)(O); INA § 101(a)(43)(B); 8 U.S.C. § 1326; § 1325; illegal reentry; small amount of marijuana; retroactivity

Gutierrez-Gutierrez v. Garland, No. 18-2034 (8th Cir. Mar. 22, 2021)

  • reinstatement; procedurally lawful admission; Matter of Quilantan; motion to reopen; jurisdiction; gross miscarriage of justice

Acevedo v. Garland, No. 19-72381 (9th Cir. Mar. 24, 2021)

  • particular social group; particularity; intellectual disability; subgroups; psychological reports; social distinction; relevant society; asylum; El Salvador

3/22/21

Awuku-Asare v. Garland, No. 19-9516 (10th Cir. Mar. 16, 2021)

  • F-1 student status; failure to maintain status; statutory interpretation; definition of the word “fail”

Cuesta-Rojas v. Garland, No. 20-1302 (1st Cir. Mar. 15, 2021)

  • asylum; adverse credibility; sworn statement; discrepancies; corroborating evidence; definition of arrest

Thile v. Garland, No. 20-1259 (1st Cir. Mar. 19, 2021)

  • citizenship; burdens; identity; asylum; China; India; Tibet

Aguilar-Osorio v. Garland, No. 19-73000 (9th Cir. Mar. 15, 2021)

  • particular social group; witnesses to gang activity; Department of State reports

Rodriguez v. Garland, No. 20-70240 (9th Cir. Mar. 15, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; materially changed country conditions; change in personal circumstances; Mexico

3/8/21

 

Gonzalez v. Wilkinson, No. 19-3412 (8th Cir. Mar. 9, 2021)

  • realistic probability test; cancellation of removal; Fla. Stat. § 893.13(6)(b); possession of marijuana; divisibility; Matter of Guadarrama

Matter of Nemis, 28 I&N Dec. 250 (BIA 2021)

  • conspiracy; fraud; CIMT; conspiracy to commit visa fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a)

Matter of Aguilar-Mendez, 28 I&N Dec. 262 (BIA 2021)

  • CIMT; assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 245(a)(4); voluntary departure

Birhanu v. Wilkinson, No. 19-9599 (10th Cir. Mar. 9, 2021)

  • CIMT; recklessness; making threats of terrorism in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-107.3(1)(b)(ii); single scheme of criminal conduct; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii); particularly serious crime; mental health; competency hearing

Jama v. Wilkinson, No. 19-2250 (8th Cir. Mar. 11, 2021)

  • particularly serious crime; Matter of G-G-S-; mental health; BIA fact finding; CAT deferral; Somalia

Sanchez v. Garland, No. 16-73745 (9th Cir. Mar. 11, 2021)

  • past persecution; threats; gangs; women; social distinction; El Salvador

Lucaj v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1566 (1st Cir. Mar. 10, 2021)

  • motion to reopen based on materially changed country conditions; deterioration of conditions; asylum; Albania

Lopez v. Garland, No. 20-3762 (6th Cir. Mar. 12, 2021)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; notice to appear (NTA) in native language

Arguijo v. USCIS, No. 13-cv-05751 (7th Cir. Mar. 12, 2021)

  • Violence Against Women Act; VAWA; stepchild; dictionary definition

3/8/21

Pereida v. Wilkinson, No. 19-438 (U.S. Mar. 4, 2021)

  • burdens; categorical approach; relief from removal; ambiguous criminal conviction; attempted criminal impersonation in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28–638; CIMT

Arita-Deras v. Wilkinson, No. 19-1978 (4th Cir. Mar. 4, 2021)

  • asylum; corroboration; family affidavits; Honduras; family based particular social group; gangs; death threats

White v. Wilkinson, No. 19-3517 (8th Cir. Mar. 4, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; VAWA cancellation; good moral character; discretion

Ali Aden v. Wilkinson, 17-71313 (9th Cir. Mar. 4, 2021)

  • asylum; firm resettlement bar; past persecution; threats; beatings; imputed religion; Somalia; Al-Shabaab

3/1/21

Oliveira v. Wilkinson, No. 19-1258 (1st Cir. Feb. 22, 2021)

  • INA § 245(i) adjustment of status; approvable when filed; meritorious in fact; Matter of Butt

Matter of L-L-P-, 28 I&N Dec. 241 (BIA 2021)

  • special rule cancellation of removal under INA § 240A(b)(2); statutory construction; legislative intent

Molina-Diaz v. Wilkinson, No. 15-2321 (1st Cir. Feb. 25, 2021)

  • clean credibility finding; adverse credibility; presumption of credibility; corroboration; Honduras; MUCA; CAT; withholding of removal

Zelaya-Moreno v. Wilkinson, No. 17-2284 (2d Cir. Feb. 26, 2021)

  • political opinion; gang recruitment; opposition to corruption; El Salvador

Sunuwar v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 20-2091 (3d Cir. Feb. 25, 2021)

  • particularly serious crime; Matter of N-A-M-; length of sentence; strangulation under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2718(a); contempt under 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6114(a) for disobeying a protective order; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(ii), violation of protective order; adverse credibility

Lazo v. Wilkinson, No. 14-73182 (9th Cir. Feb. 26, 2021)

  • controlled substance offense; INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); California Health and Safety Code § 11350; divisibility; jury instructions

2/22/21

Chacon v. Wilkinson, No. 18-71515 (9th Cir. Feb. 18, 2021)

  • particularly serious crime; importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms without a license in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A); aggravated felony; illicit trafficking in firearms; categorical approach

Naranjo Garcia v. Wilkinson, No. 19-72803 (9th Cir. Feb. 18, 2021)

  • nexus; mixed motive; asylum; particular social group; family; property owner; gang recruitment; “one reason” and “a reason” for withholding of removal

2/14/21

Diaz De Gomez v. Wilkinson, No. 19-2115 (4th Cir. Feb. 8, 2021)

  • asylum; nexus; particular social group; nuclear family; extortion; gang recruitment; death threats; Los Zetas; Guatemala; Matter of A-B- II; Matter of L-E-A- II

Macedo Templos v. Wilkinson, No. 15-73122 (9th Cir. Feb. 9, 2021)

  • withholding of removal; particular social group; nexus; “Mexican wealthy business owners”; Convention Against Torture; “rogue official”

Santos-Ponce v. Wilkinson, No. 18-72433 (9th Cir. Feb. 10, 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; “young Christian males who resist gang recruitment”; Honduras

Zaruma-Guaman v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1533 (1st Cir. Feb. 9, 2021)

  • asylum; adverse credibility; inconsistencies; sworn statement; Ecuador

Shazi v. Wilkinson, No. 19-2842 (8th Cir. Feb. 11, 2021)

  • particularly serious crime; Matter of G-G-S-; mental health; terroristic threats; Nasrallah – particularly serious crime; withholding; Iraq

Gallina v. Wilkinson, No. 17-4058 (2d Cir. Feb. 12, 2021)

  • deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture; “other procedures” under CAT regulations; mafia; solitary confinement; Italy

Perez-Perez v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1048 (7th Cir. Feb. 11, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; deportation proceedings; Periera v. Sessions; Order to Show Cause

2/8/21

Barahona v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1546 (8th Cir. Feb. 3, 2021)

  • serious non-political crime; asylum; probable cause; INA §§ 208(b)(2)(A)(iii), 241(b)(3)(B)(iii); burdens; Interpol Red Notice

Tibakweitira v. Wilkinson, No. 18-60459 (5th Cir. Feb. 2, 2021)

  • withholding of removal; jurisdiction; particularly serious crime; INA § 242(a)(2)(C); Nasrallah; three member panel (BIA) and due process; motion to reopen

Martinez-Baez v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1078 (7th Cir. Feb. 1, 2021)

  • corroboration; credibility; cancellation of removal; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B); INA § 242(a)(2)(D); statutory headings; Guerrero-Lasprilla

Tomczyk v. Wilkinson, No. 16-72926 (9th Cir. Feb. 3, 2021)

  • reinstatement; INA § 241(a)(5); illegal entry; procedurally proper admission; waive through; statutory analysis

2/1/21

 

Amaya v. Rosen, No. 19-1619 (4th Cir. Jan. 25, 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; particularity; former gang members; MS-13; El Salvador

Kaur v. Wilkinson, No. 18-73001 (9th Cir. Jan. 29, 2021)

  • past persecution; attempted gang rape; sexual violence; nexus to government actor even when political party not in power; India; Mann Party

Matter of H-L-S-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 228 (BIA 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; social distinction; gangs; criminal witnesses; public testimony; MS-13; persecution in the United States

Matter of Viera-Garcia and Ordonez-Viera, 28 I&N Dec. 223 (BIA 2021)

  • NTA; Pereira v. Sessions; voluntary departure; INA § 240B(b); stop-time rule

Munoz-Rivera v. Wilkinson, No. 19-60376 (5th Cir. Jan. 27, 2021)

  • crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT); deception; use of an unauthorized social security number in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B)

Granados Benitez v. Wilkinson, No. 20-1541 (1st Cir. Jan. 28, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; changed circumstances; additional evidence; continuances; Matter of L-A-B-R-; U-Visa

1/25/21

Introduction Interview with Eddie Ramos Click this link to learn more about Eddie! Helpful resources for issues discussed on the episode:

1/25/21

 

Matter of Dikhtyar, 28 I&N Dec. 214 (BIA 2021)

  • modified categorical approach; divisibility; Utah Code § 58-37-8(2)(a)(i); controlled substance offenses; different penalties

Nkomo v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-2781 (3d Cir. Jan. 21, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; equitable tolling; exhaustion

1/18/21

Matter of A-B-, 28 I&N Dec. 199 (A.G. 2021)

  • past persecution; unable or unwilling; relocation; nexus; but-for cause; Brand-X and Chevron

Al Amiri v. Rosen, No. 19-1447 (1st Cir. Jan. 11, 2021)

  • asylum; Iraq; objectively reasonable fear; nexus; trips to country of removal

Hussein v. Rosen, No. 18-70780 (9th Cir. Jan. 11, 2021)

  • asylum; due process rights of pro se respondents; IJ’s duty to develop the record

Hassan v. Rosen, No. 19-2918 (8th Cir. Jan. 15, 2021)

  • CAT deferral; minority clan; Somalia; acquiescence and willful blindness; repatriation program for Al-Shabaab defectors

E.A.C.A. v. Rosen, No. 20-3216 (6th Cir. Jan. 12, 2021)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; exceptional circumstances; child birth; totality of circumstances; minor child

Zelaya Diaz v. Rosen, No. 20-1304 (7th Cir. Jan. 15, 2021)

  • administrative closure; Accardi doctrine; repapering; cancellation of removal

Meraz-Saucedo v. Rosen, No. 20-1438 (7th Cir. Jan. 15, 2021)

  • cancellation of removal; Pereira; timeliness; prejudice; Matter of Mendoza-Hernandez; nexus

1/11/21

 

Matter of O-M-O-, 28 I&N Dec. 191 (BIA 2021)

  • adverse credibility; fraudulent document finding; IJ authority; expert testimony

Velasquez Alvarado v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 20-10599 (11th Cir. Jan. 5, 2021)

  • asylum; particular social group; women unable to leave their relationship; Matter of A-B-; women viewed as property

Ovalles v. Rosen, No. 17-60498 (5th Cir. Jan. 6, 2021)

  • motions to reopen; equitable tolling; change in law

Singh v. Rosen, No. 20-3127 (6th Cir. Jan. 7, 2021)

  • cancellation of removal; mixed question of law and fact; jurisdiction; standards of review; hardship; Pereira; stop time rule

1/4/21

Mendoza-Flores v. Rosen, No. 19-60225 (5th Cir. Dec. 29, 2020)

  • mootness; removal from the U.S.; collateral legal consequences; T-Visa

Flores v. Rosen, No. 17-72888 (9th Cir. Dec. 30, 2020)

  • Special Agricultural Worker program (SAW); admissibility; statutory construction

USA v. Al-Muwwakkil, No. 18-6201 (4th Cir. Dec. 28, 2020)

  • violent felony; ACCA; crime of violence aggravated felony; divisibility; categorical approach; attempted rape in violation of Va. Code Ann. § 18.1-44; burglary in violation of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-90

Garcia-Simisterra v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-13848 (11th Cir. Dec. 30, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i) aggravated felony; +$10,000 amount of loss; circumstance specific approach; plea agreement; nolo contender plea; withhold adjudication of guilt

12/28/20

 

Matter of Rivera-Mendoza, 28 I&N Dec. 184 (BIA 2020)

  • Or. Rev. Stat. § 163.545(1); crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i)

Rad v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1404 (3d Cir. Dec. 21, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; INA §§ 101(a)(43)(M)(i) and 101(a)(43)(U); deceit; $10,000 amount; CAN-SPAM Act; 18 U.S.C. § 1037(a); Chenery doctrine

Mohamed v. Barr, No. 19-3356 (8th Cir. Dec. 23, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; Somalia; in absentia

Pojoy-De Leon v. Barr, No. 19-1006 (1st Cir. Dec. 21, 2020)

  • asylum; nexus; particular social group; “Guatemalan women”

Ruiz Varela v. Barr, No. 19-1994 (1st Cir. Dec. 23, 2020)

  • withholding of removal; particular social group; “immediate family”; Honduras

Minh Nguyen v. Barr, No. 17-72197 (9th Cir. Dec. 21, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; drug users; Vietnam; 2008 repatriation agreement

12/21/20

Matter of M-A-M-Z-, 28 I&N Dec. 173 (BIA 2020)

  • asylum; expert testimony; particular social group; nexus; family-based groups; cartels in Mexico; Ren v. Holder, continuances, and corroborating evidence

Marquez-Paz v. Barr, No. 19-2230 (1st Cir. Dec. 18, 2020)

  • asylum; withholding of removal; nexus to a protected ground; Honduran landowners

Addo v. Barr, No. 18-9560 (10th Cir. Dec. 14, 2020)

  • asylum; Ghana; reasonable relocation; tribes

Hernandez-Alvarez v. Barr, No. 20-1459 (7th Cir. Dec. 16, 2020)

  • motion to reconsider; motion to reopen; equitable tolling; departure bar; sexual abuse of a minor aggravated felony; change in law

Smith v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12622 (11th Cir. Dec. 18, 2020)

  • CIMT; Florida vehicular homicide; Fla. Stat. § 782.071; reckless mens rea; vile or depraved conduct

12/14/20

 

Dos Santos v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12383 (11th Cir. Dec. 11, 2020)

  • admissions and concessions; “egregious circumstances”; binding on litigants; prejudice

Singh, et al. v Barr, No. 19-70932 (9th Cir. Dec. 9, 2020)

  • credible fear; expedited removal; INA § 242; jurisdiction; motion to reopen

Igiebor v. Barr, No. 19-9579 (10th Cir. Dec. 7, 2020)

  • Convention Against Torture (CAT); homosexuality; Nigeria; facilitating return and mootness after removal pending petition; “extraordinary circumstances”; 8 C.F.R. § 1287.6(b) and authentication

12/07/20

Matter of Melgar, 28 I&N Dec. 169 (BIA 2020)

  • ineffective assistance of counsel; Lozada; prejudice; Utah Code Ann. § 76-5 109(3)(B); crime of child abuse, abandon, or neglect

Alfaro-Garcia v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-12068 (11th Cir. Nov. 30, 2020)

  • motion to reopen after removal; reinstatement; jurisdiction

Medina Tovar, et. al. v. Zuchowski, et. al. , No. 18-35072 (9th Cir. Dec. 3, 2020)

  • U-Visas; U-nonimmigrant status; Special Appearance by Jesse Imbriano, Legal Director of Casa Cornelia Law Center

Mahmoud v. Barr, No. 19-1777 (1st Cir. Nov. 30, 2020)

  • abandonment of LPR status; burdens; applicant for admission

11/30/20

Matter of Padilla Rodriguez, 28 I&N Dec. 164 (BIA 2020)

  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS); admission; adjustment of status

Bedoya v. Barr, No. 19-1930 (4th Cir. Nov. 25, 2020)

  • asylum; past persecution; death threats; Colombia; Colombian police officer

Hernandez-Serrano v. Barr, No. 20-0367 (6th Cir. Nov. 24, 2020)

  • Administrative closure; regulatory interpretation

Barrados-Zarate v. Barr, No. 20-1040 (7th Cir. Nov. 24, 2020)

  • issue exhaustion; jurisdiction; non-LPR cancellation of removal; Mexico

Moallin v. Barr, No. 19-2743 (8th Cir. Nov. 23, 2020)

  • Convention Against Torture (CAT); Somalia

Vega-Anguiano v. Barr, No. 15-72999 (9th Cir. Nov. 24, 2020)

  • reinstatement; gross miscarriage of justice; executing final order; jurisdiction

11/23/20

Sanchez Rosales et al. v. Barr, No. 18-70666 (9th Cir. Nov. 18, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; ineffective assistance of counsel; in absentia; notario

Castillo v. Barr, No. 19-72745 (9th Cir. Nov. 18, 2020)

  • Convention Against Torture (CAT); El Salvador; expert testimony; standard for reviewing expert testimony; gang activity; MS-13

Celicourt v. Barr, No. 20-1201 (1st Cir. Nov. 17, 2020)

  • asylum; evidentiary burden; pattern and practice; evidentiary standard; Haiti; political party in Haiti

11/16/20

Matter of H-Y-Z-, 28 I&N Dec. 156 (BIA 2020)

  • motion to reopen; sua sponte; ineffective assistance of counsel; prejudice; frivolous finding; Lozada in the 3d Circuit

Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice

Wambura v. Barr, No. 19-1360 (4th Cir. Nov. 13, 2020)

  • burdens; relief; aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); $10,000 amount of loss; corroboration; CAT deferral; Tanzania

11/9/20

Matter of Negusie, 28 I&N Dec. 120 (A.G. 2020)

  • persecutor bar; asylum and withholding of removal; duress and voluntariness; history of asylum; 1967 protocol; evidentiary burden

Khan v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1427 (3d Cir. Nov. 3, 2020)

  • LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(a); stop-time rule; statutory interpretation; vacated conviction; Conn. Gen. Stat § 21a-279(c) for possession of less than a half ounce of marijuana

Suate-Orellana v. Barr, No. 19-60729 (5th Cir. Nov. 4, 2020)

  • adverse credibility; motion to remand for new evidence; materiality; withholding of removal; particular social group; gang recruitment; Honduras

11/2/20

Matter of Pak, 28 I&N Dec. 113 (BIA 2020)

  • I-130; fraudulent marriage; INA § 204(c); substantial and probative evidence standard

Velasco Lopez v. Decker, et al., No. 19-2284 (2d Cir. Oct. 27, 2020)

  • detention; INA § 236(a); due process; Jennings v. Rodriguez

Amaya-De Sicaran v. Barr, No. 18-1915 (4th Cir. Oct. 30, 2020)

  • asylum; domestic violence;Matter of A-B-; anti-circularity; particular social group; El Salvador

Londono-Gonzalez v. Barr, No. 16-60766 (5th Cir. Oct. 26, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; INA § 212(c); INA § 242(a)(2)(C); due diligence; equitable tolling

Morales Bribiesca v. Barr, No. 20-0348 (6th Cir. Oct. 30, 2020)

  • alien smuggling; INA § 212(a)(6)(E)(i); clear, unequivocal, and convincing standard

Velasquez v. Barr, et al., No. 19-1148 (8th Cir. Oct. 27, 2020)

  • TPS; inspected and admitted; statutory interpretation

Velasquez-Rios et al. v. Barr, No. 18-72990 (9th Cir. Oct. 28, 2020)

  • Penal Code § 18.5; CIMT; cancellation of removal; sentence of one year or more; federalism

Medina-Rodriguez v. Barr, No. 19-72681 (9th Cir. Oct. 30, 2020)

  • drug trafficking aggravated felony; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11359; marijuana; categorical approach – date of conviction analysis

10/26/20

Grijalva Martinez v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 191740 (3d Cir. Oct. 21, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; criminal sexual contact – N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:14-3(b) and 2C:14-2(c)(4); endangering the welfare of children – N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:24-4(a)(1); particularly serious crime

Ortega-Lopez v. Barr, No. 18-72441 (9th Cir. Oct. 20, 2020)

  • CIMT; Chevron deference; 7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(1); animal fighting; cancellation of removal; INA §240A(b)(1)(C)

Martinez-Perez v. Barr, 947 F.3d 1273 (10th Cir. 2020)

  • cancellation of removal; age-out (age out) of qualifying relative

10/19/20

Hincapie-Zapata v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 18-10229 (11th Cir. Oct. 13, 2020)

  • material support of terrorism; INA § 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(I), (iv)(VI); duress; de minimus support

Hernandez-Cartagena v. Barr, No. 19-1823 (4th Cir. Oct. 14, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; family; nexus; El Salvador

Larios v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-2594 (3d Cir. Oct. 14, 2020)

  • CIMT; terroristic threats; modified categorical approach; divisibility; mens rea; recklessness; N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:12-3(a)

Cortes-Maldonado v. Barr, No. 18-70927 (9th Cir. Oct. 15, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; illicit trafficking in a controlled substance; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); commercial activity; solicitation; inchoate offenses; Or. Rev. Stat. § 475.860

Mukulumbutu v. Barr, No. 18-70927 (9th Cir. Oct. 15, 2020)

  • adverse credibility; inconsistencies and omissions; border interview; asylum; Democratic Republic of Congo; due process

10/12/20

Matter of Voss, 28 I&N Dec. 107 (BIA 2020)

  • INA § 240A(b); LPR cancellation of removal; affect of receiving immigration relief; DHS authority to charge; INA § 212(c)

Jimenez-Aguilar v. Barr, No. 19-1917 (7th Cir. Oct. 6, 2020)

  • 8 C.F.R. § 1240.11(c)(1); IJ failure to warn; definition of persecution; definition of harm; deference; gang violence; Honduras

10/7/20

Immigrant Legal Resource Center, et al. v. Wolf, et al. (NDCA Sept. 29, 2020)

  • preliminary injunction; USCIS fees; executive authority

Zhakira v. Barr, No. 18-1470 (1st Cir. Oct. 2, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; westernized individuals; Al Shabab; Kenya

Hernandez-Morales v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 193000 (3d Cir. Oct. 1, 2020)

  • jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(i); criminal-alien bar; Guerrero-Lasprilla

Mirambeaux v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 193224 (3d Cir. Oct. 2, 2020)

  • continuances; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(C); due process; Guerrero-Lasprilla; Nasrallah

Velasquez-Gaspar v. Barr, No. 17-71964 (9th Cir. Sept. 30, 2020)

  • asylum; unable or unwilling to protect; domestic violence; women; El Salvador

9/28/20

Matter of A-C-A-A-, 28 I&N Dec. 84 (A.G. 2020)

  • asylum; humanitarian asylum; particular social group; nexus; Salvadoran women; El Salvador

Matter of J-G-T-, 28 I&N Dec. 97 (BIA 2020)

  • expert testimony; State Department reports; Iran; Mexico

Torres v. Barr, No. 13-70653 (9th Cir. Sept. 24, 2020)

  • inadmissibility; INA § 212(a)(7)(a)(i)(I); INA § 212(a)(6)(A)(i); statutory interpretation; Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

Loja-Tene v. Barr, No. 19-2192 (1st Cir. Sept. 21, 2020)

  • asylum; nexus; family group; criminal recruitment; Ecuador

Lee v. Barr, No. 19-1516 (1st Cir. Sept. 22, 2020)

  • continuances; withholding of removal; wealthy immigrants; particular social group; Jamaica; voluntary departure

Avitso v. Barr, No. 20-1117 (8th Cir. Sept. 22, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; ineffective assistance of counsel; substantial compliance with Matter of Lozada

9/21/20

Ramos et al. v. Wolf et al., No. 18-16981 (9th Cir. Sept. 14, 2020)

  • TPS; jurisdiction; APA; equal protection

Bare v. Barr, No. 17-73269 (9th Cir. Sept. 16, 2020)

  • asylum-only proceedings; inadmissibly and asylee status; changing from stowaway to asylee status; 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2); particularly serious crime; Matter of N-A-M-; Somalia

Safaryan v. Barr, No. 16-74039 (9th Cir. Sept. 17, 2020)

  • CIMT; Cal. Pen. Code § 245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm; Matter of Wu; Chevron deference

Rodriguez v. Barr, No. 18-1070 (2d Cir. Sept. 18, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(A) – sexual abuse of minor; aggravated felony; New York Penal Law § 130.65(3)

Santana v. Barr, No. 18-2755 (2d Cir. Sept. 18, 2020)

  • aggravated felony theft offense; INA § 101(a)(43)(G); receipt of stolen property

Gomez-Medina v. Barr, No. 19-2280 (1st Cir. Sept. 15, 2020)

  • asylum; unable or unwilling to protect; Honduras

Du v. Barr, No. 18-60792 (5th Cir. Sept. 14, 2020)

  • asylum; nexus; political opinion; anti-corruption; China

9/14/20

Guerra v. Barr, No. 18-71070 (9th Cir. Sept. 11, 2020)

  • deferral of removal under the CAT; mental health institution; Mexico; standard of review; de novo review

J.R. v. Barr, No. 18-72812 (9th Cir. Sept. 11, 2020)

  • asylum; unable or unwilling to protect; El Salvador; Mara 18 gang

9/7/20

Matter of R-C-R-, 28 I&N Dec. 74 (BIA 2020)

  • continuances; abandonment of relief; good cause; motion to reconsider; motion to reopen; due process; video hearings; televideo hearings

A.A. v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 171176 (3d Cir. Sept. 2, 2020)

  • material support of terrorism; Tier III terrorist group; state actor; asylum, withholding of removal, convention against torture; Syria; statutory interpretation; absurd results; foreign relations; refoulement; Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; terrorism exemption; terrorism waiver

Portillo-Flores v. Barr, No. 19-1591 (4th Cir. Sept. 2, 2020)

  • asylum; unable or unwilling to control; substantial evidence standard; El Salvador;

Ahmed v. Barr, No. 183704 (8th Cir. Sept. 4, 2020)

  • deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture; conversion to Christianity from Islam; motion to reopen; Bangladesh; reviewability

Jaimes-Cardenas v. Barr, No. 19-71849 (9th Cir. Sept. 1, 2020)

  • VAWA cancellation of removal; Violence Against Women Act; INA § 240A(b)(2); INA § 237(a)(7); INA § 240A(b)(5); statutory construction

8/31/20

Iman v. Barr, No. 17-72318 (9th Cir. Aug. 25, 2020)

  • adverse credibility; unresponsive testimony; omissions; asylum; Somalia

Aliyev v. Barr, No. 19-72701 (9th Cir. Aug. 24, 2020)

  • Motion to reopen to apply for asylum; 8 C.F.R § 1003.2(c)(1); attaching application to motion

Yoon, et al. v. Barr, Nos. 17-70624, 17-70670 (9th Cir. Aug. 25, 2020)

  • perjury; Cal. Pen. Code § 118(a); Matter of Alvarado; INA § 101(a)(43)(S)

Soto-Vittini v. Barr, No. 19-1372 (1st Cir. Aug. 24, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(B); illicit trafficking in a controlled substance; mens rea; accomplice liability; Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 94C, § 32A(a)

Franjul-Soto v. Barr, No. 19-1859 (1st Cir. Aug. 24, 2020)

  • VAWA; evidentiary standard for motion to reopen; prima facie case for motion to reopen

Flores-Moreno v. Barr, No. 19-60017 (5th Cir. Aug. 24, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; equitable tolling; due diligence; ineffective assistance of counsel

Romero v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 193550 (3d Cir. Aug. 25, 2020)

  • withholding of removal; reasonable fear; standard of review; Mexico

Listener Question

8/24/20

Rampersaud v. Barr, No. 19-825 (2d Cir. Aug. 19, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); $10,000 threshold; NYPL § 176.20; insurance fraud; NYPL § 155.30grand larceny; burdens

Mota v. Barr, No. 19-1385 (2d Cir. Aug. 17, 2020)

  • Stat. § 21a-277(a)(1); CIMT; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii); intent; reprehensible conduct; drug trafficking

Cabeda v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1835 (3d Cir. Aug. 18, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(A); sexual abuse of a minor; 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3123(a)(7); mens rea; realistic probability test

Abdullah v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-1167 (3d Cir. Aug. 20, 2020)

  • motion for certification of late filed appeal; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(c); jurisdiction; BIA discretion

Argueta v. Barr, No. 18-2514 (4th Cir. Aug. 18, 2020)

  • LPR cancellation; “rendered inadmissible”;Barton v. Barr

Cheneau v. Barr, No. 15-70636 (9th Cir. Aug. 19, 2020)

  • derivative citizenship; 8 U.S.C. § 1432(a); 8 U.S.C. § 1431(a); 18 U.S.C. § 16(b)

Patel, et al. v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 17-10636 (11th Cir. Aug. 19, 2020) (en banc)

  • jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(B); false claim to citizenship; materiality

8/17/20

Akosung v. Barr, No. 17-72829 (9th Cir. Aug. 14, 2020)

  • asylum; reasonable relocation; particular social group; social distinction; marital rape; Cameroon

Syed v. Barr, No. 17-71727 (9th Cir. Aug. 12, 2020)

  • CIMT; Cal. Pen Code § 288.3(a) vis a vis § 288: attempting to communicate with a child with the intent to commit lewd or lascivious acts upon that child; intent; knowledge; age of the child

Gomez Fernandez v. Barr, No. 19-70079 (9th Cir. Aug. 13, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; Cal. Pen. Code §187(a); murder; INA § 101(a)(43)(A); divisibility

Enriquez v. Barr, No. 13-72934 (9th Cir. Aug. 13, 2020)

  • VAWA; admission; admitted in any status; LPR cancellation of removal; INA § 240A(a)

Lopez-Garcia et al. v. Barr, No. 19-2081 (7th Cir. Aug. 11, 2020)

  • motion to reconsider and motion to reopen to apply for asylum

Salazar-Marroquin v. Barr, No. 19-1669 (7th Cir. Aug. 13, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; sua sponte; incorrect charge in NTA; Pereira and Ortizmotion to terminate; prejudice

Fatima Fuentes v. Barr, No. 19-1773 (8th Cir. Aug. 12, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; family claims; El Salvador

Lingeswaran v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 18-13489 (11th Cir. Aug. 13, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture; Sri Lanka

8/10/20

Valenzuela Gallardo v. Barr, No. 18-72593 (9th Cir. Aug. 6, 2020)

  • INA § 101(a)(43)(S) aggravated felony “offense relating to obstruction of justice”; law of the case doctrine; “relating to”; Chevrondeference

Diaz-Reynoso v. Barr, No. 18-72833 (9th Cir. Aug. 7, 2020)

  • asylum; withholding of removal; torture protection; Mexico; Matter of A-B-; particular social group – circularity

Davila v. Barr, No. 17-72173 (9th Cir. Aug. 7, 2020)

  • asylum; domestic violence; Nicaragua; unable or unwilling to protect; cherry picking the record

Matter of Nivelo Cardenas, 28 I&N Dec. 68 (BIA 2020)

  • motion to reopen; in absentia; address requirement; duty to ensure correct information in NTA

Machado Sigaran v. Barr, No. 19-1282 (1st Cir. Aug. 5, 2020)

  • temporary protected status (TPS); no-notice motion to reopen; appellate review; circuit review

Antonio Garcia v. Barr, No. 19-60097 (5th Cir. Aug. 4, 2020)

  • sexual assault of a child; crime of child abuse; INA § 237(a)(2)(E)(i); Chevrondeference

Cuevas-Nuno v. Barr, No. 20-3034 (6th Cir. Aug. 7, 2020)

  • issue exhaustion; motion to reopen; extraordinary circumstances vs. sua sponte; circuit review

Galeano-Romero v. Barr, No. 19-9585 (10th Cir. Aug. 4, 2020)

  • non-LPR cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; jurisdiction to review factual findings

8/3/20

Matter of Reyes, 28 I&N Dec. 52 (A.G. 2020)

  • categorical approach; aggravated felony; theft; fraud; NY Pen. L. § 155.40(1)

Orellana v. Barr, No. 19-70164 (9th Cir. July 28, 2020)

  • CIMT; Cal. Pen Code § 646.9(a); stalking; Skidmore deference; single scheme of criminal conduct

Johnson v. Barr, No. 19-9550 (10th Cir. July 31, 2020)

  • categorical approach; divisibility; Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-18-403.5(1), (2)(a); drug schedules

Gao v. Barr, No. 18-358 (2d Cir. July 28, 2020)

  • asylum; credibility; religious persecution; China; Chinese Christians

Sathanthrasa v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 18-2925 (3d Cir. July 30, 2020)

  • asylum; withholding; 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(e); family unity; Sri Lanka; discretion

Gjetani v. Barr, No. 18-60827 (5th Cir. July 30, 2020)

  • asylum; political opinion; Albania; past persecution; standard of review

Deep v. Barr, No. 19-60391 (5th Cir. July 27, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; India

Marqus v. Barr, No. 18-4252 (6th Cir. July 30, 2020)

  • deferral of removal; Chaldean Christian; Convention Against Torture; Iraq

Lasu v. Barr, No. 18-3550 (8th Cir. July 31, 2020)

  • deferral of removal; Convention Against Torture; Egypt; South Sudan; minority clans

Alzawed v. Barr, No. 19-2425 (8th Cir. July 31, 2020)

  • deferral of removal; Convention Against Torture; Iraq; res judicata

7/27/2020

Matter of P-B-B-, 28 I&N Dec. 43 (BIA 2020)

  • controlled substance offenses; divisibility; ARS § 13-3407; Arizona

Dale v. Barr, No. 18-1081 (2d Cir. July 23, 2020)

  • derivative citizenship; 8 U.S.C. § 1432(a); equal protection; New York; NYPL § 120.05(2) aggravated assault; 8 U.S.C. § 16(a)

Shire v. Barr , No. 19-1714 (8th Cir. July 23, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; Somalia

Gonzalo Dominguez v. Barr, 18-72731 (9th Cir. July 21, 2020)

  • drug trafficking aggravated felonies; divisibility; manufacturing; delivery; particularly serious crimes; Oregon Revised Statutes; ORS § 475.992(1)(a)

Sanabria Morales v. Barr, No. 17-1634 (1st Cir. July 24, 2020)

  • CAT; deferral of removal; Venezuela; particularly serious crime; drug trafficking; Matter of Y-L-; presumption

Blanco v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-3658 (3d Cir. July 24, 2020)

  • asylum; persecution; harm; corroboration; Honduras

Sanchez et al. v. DHS et al. , No. 19-1311 (3d Cir. July 22, 2020)

  • TPS; admission

Santos-Alvarado v. Barr, 19-60432 (5th Cir. July 21, 2020)

  • adverse credibility; asylum; exhaustion; due process; witness testimony; El Salvador

Skripkov v. Barr, No. 19-3922 (6th Cir. July 20, 2020)

  • asylum; political opinion; anti-corruption; prosecution vs. persecution; Russia

7/20/2020

Matter of O-F-A-S- , 28 I&N Dec. 35 (A.G. 2020)

  • CAT; public official; “under color of law”; rogue official

Matter of M-D-C-V-, 28 I&N Dec. 18 (BIA 2020)

  • Migrant Protection Protocols; MPP; applicant for admission; arriving alien; asylum; right to counsel

Millan-Hernandez v. Barr, No. 18-2107 (2d Cir. July 13, 2020)

  • motion to suppress; motion to terminate; Fourth Amendment; egregious violation; Constitution

Ordonez Azmen v. Barr, No. 17-982 (2d Cir. July 13, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; former gang members; motion to remand; changed country conditions

Jack et al. v. Barr, 18-842, 18-1479 (2d Cir. July 16, 2020)

  • firearm offense; firearm aggravated felony; antique firearms; realistic probability test

Nunez-Vasquez v. Barr, No. 19-1841 (4th Cir. July 13, 2020)

  • CIMT; intent; morally reprehensible; identity theft

Escobedo-Marquez, et al. v. Barr, No. 19-1025 (7th Cir. July 13, 2020)

  • asylum; persecution; well-founded fear; LGBTQ; pattern and practice; Mexico

Eduardo Rendon v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 19-10197 (11th Cir. July 14, 2020)

  • LPR cancellation of removal; stop time rule; retroactivity

7/13/2020

Canal A Media Holding, LLC et al. v. USCIS, No. 18-cv-24027 (11th Cir. July 8, 2020)

  • jurisdiction; APA; L-1A visas; nonimmigrant denials; challenging USCIS action

Sharif v. Barr, No. 19-1478 (8th Cir. July 7, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; Somalia; jurisdiction

Kilic v. Barr , No. 19-4076 (6th Cir. July 10, 2020)

  • 212(h) waiver; equal protection; CAT; Bosnia

Ottey v. Barr , No. 18-834 (2d Cir July 7, 2020)

  • inspection and admission; procedurally regular admission; burden of proof; due process; evidentiary burden; New York Penal Law § 165.5; CIMT

Silva v. Barr, No. 16-70130 (9th Cir. July 10, 2020)

  • CIMT; petty theft; Cal. Pen Code § 484(a); categorical approach; changed country condition motions to reopen; Philippines

Gordon v. Barr, No. 19-1539 (4th Cir. July 8, 2020)

  • realistic probability test; Virginia Code § 18.2-280(A); willful discharge of “any firearm” in a public place without resulting bodily injury; INA § 237(a)(2)(C) firearm offense

7/6/2020

Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, et al. v. Trump, et al., No, 19-2117 (D.D.C. June 30, 2020)

  • asylum; Administrate Procedures Act (APA); injunctions

Nastase v. Barr, No. 18-60264 (5th Cir. July 1, 2020)

  • derivative citizenship; refugee status; lawful admission for permanent residence; discretionary waivers; jurisdiction

Diaz Torres v. Barr, No. 18-70141 (9th Cir. June 29, 2020)

  • particular social group; asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, Mexico: Sinaloa

6/29/2020

DHS et al. v. Thuraissigiam, No. 19-161 (U.S. June 25, 2020)

  • expedited removal, credible fear, jurisdiction; due process, Suspension Clause

Meza-Morales v. Barr, 19-1999 (7th Cir. June 26, 2020)

  • administrative closure; Matter of Castro Tum; U visa; INA 212(d)(3)(A) waiver

Ortiz v. Barr, 19-1285 (8th Cir. June 23, 2020)

  • CIMT; obstruction of legal process; obstruction of justice; general intent crimes

Gordon v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 18-14513 (11th Cir. June 24, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; Georgia possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; ecstasy

Valadez-Lara v.. Barr, No. 19-4013 (6th Cir. June 26, 2020)

  • in absentia motion to reopen; no notice

Tanusantoso, et al. v. Barr, No. 18-1440 (2d Cir. June 23, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; Indonesian Christians

Cedillos-Cedillos v. Barr, No. 18-2233 (4th Cir. June 26, 2020)

  • asylum; El Salvador; “nuclear family”; witness to crime; nexus

Omar v. Barr, No. 18-3351 (8th Cir. June 26, 2020)

  • CAT; deferral; Somalia

Xochihua-Jaimes v. Barr, No. 18-71460 (9th Cir. June 26, 2020)

  • CAT; deferral of removal; Mexico; acquiescence of a public official; relocation; Los Zetas; LGBTQ; lesbian

6/22/20

DHS et al. v. Regents of the University of California, et al., No. 18-587 (U.S. June 18, 2020)

  • DACA; Administrative Procedures Act; Executive power

Matter of R. I. Ortega, 28 I&N Dec. 9 (BIA 2020)

  • INA 204(c)(2); sham marriage; K-1 visa; conspiracy

Hernandez Lara v. Barr, No. 19-1524 (1st Cir. June 15, 2020)

  • right to counsel; due process; prejudice; continuance

Damian Ferreyra v. Barr, Nos. 18-3021 & 19-2055 (7th Cir. June 16, 2020)

  • visa waiver program; asylum; waiver of right to removal proceedings

Cordoba v. Barr, 17-71655 (9th Cir. June 16, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; “Wealthy landowners”

6/15/20

Alexis v. Barr, No. 18-60748 (5th Cir. June 8, 2020)

  • controlled substance; Texas; realistic probability test; categorical approach; CAT

Tejeda v. Barr, No. 13-74391 (9th Cir. June 8, 2020)

  • controlled substance; California; categorical approach; divisibility

Martinez de Artiga v. Barr, No. 17-2898 (2d Cir. June 10, 2020) · CAT; asylum; MS-13; gang recruitment Matter of F-S-N-, 28 I&N Dec. 1 (BIA 2020)

  • motions to reopen; changed country conditions; adverse credibility

Garcia v. Barr, No. 19-3489 (6th Cir. June 8, 2020)

  • unaccompanied alien minor; jurisdiction; asylum; CAT

6/8/2020

Nasrallah v. Barr, No. 18-1432 (U.S. June 1, 2020)

  • CAT; jurisdiction; INA § 242(a)(2)(C); final order of removal

Grigoryan v. Barr, No. 16-73652 (9th Cir. June 2, 2020)

  • asylum termination; Report of Investigation; ROI

Roy v. Barr, No. 15-72942 (9th Cir. June 4, 2020)

  • derivative citizenship; 8 U.S.C. § 1432(a)(3); equal protection

Moran v. Barr, No. 18-73167 (9th Cir. June 2, 2020)

  • CIMT; Cal. Veh. Code § 2800.4; vehicular flight from a police officer while driving against traffic

Point Du Jour v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 18-15235 (11th Cir. June 4, 2020)

  • ineffective assistance of counsel; Matter of Lozada; substantial compliance

6/1/20

Williams v. Barr, No. 18-2535 (2nd Cir. May 27, 2020)

  • antique firearms exception; categorical approach; realistic probability test

Mendez v. Barr, No. 18-801 (2nd Cir. May 27, 2020)

  • CIMTs; Matter of Mendez, 27 I&N Dec. 219, 225 (BIA 2018); 18 U.S.C. § 4; misprision of a felony

Kondjoua v. Barr, No. 16-296 (2nd Cir. May 28, 2020)

  • crime of violence; INA § 101(a)(43)(F); 18 U.S.C. § 16(a); sexual assault; Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-72a(a)(1)

Bannister et al. v. Barr, No. 18-2638 (8th Cir. May 26, 2020)

  • controlled substance offenses; categorical approach; Minn. Stat. § 152.025, subd. 2 (fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance statute)

Chen v. Barr, No. 19-2375 (7th Cir. May 29, 2020) · Pereira v. Sessions; INA § 240A(b); stop-time rule; claims processing rule Prieto-Pineda v. Barr, 19-1347 (8th Cir. May 28, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, CAT; El Salvador; gangs

5/25/20

Guzman Vazquez v. Barr, No. 19-3417 (6th Cir. May 18, 2020)

  • withholding of removal; “one central reason”; nexus; corroboration; opportunity to explain

Juan Antonio v. Barr, No. 18-3500 (6th Cir. May 19, 2020)

  • asylum; particular social group; Matter of A-B-; domestic violence

Matter of Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., 27 I&N Dec. 837 (DIR 2020)

  • non-attorney accreditation; EOIR Director; reconsideration

Thompson v. Barr, No. 18-1823 (1st Cir. May 21, 2020)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; pardons; INA 237(a)(2)(A)(vi); jurisdiction

Alvarez-Espino v. Barr, No. 19-2289 (7th Cir. May 20, 2020)

  • ineffective assistance of counsel; U-Visa; continuance; prejudice

5/18/20

Reyes Vargas v. Barr, No. 17-9549 (10th Cir. May 14, 2020)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.23(b)(1); departure bar; jurisdiction; Kisor; Auer; agency deference

Diaz Ortiz v. Barr, No. 19-1620 (1st Cir. May 15, 2020)

  • asylum; El Salvador; MS-13; gangs; adverse credibility, evidentiary admissibility; due process

Francisco v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 19-2700 (3d Cir. May 15, 2020)

  • CIMT; theft; Matter of Diaz-Lizarraga; retroactivity

Munoz-Granados v. Barr, No. 19-60758 (5th Cir. May 12, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture; Mexico; past persecution; death threats; gangs; persecution of family members; burdens

Lona v. Barr, No. 17-70329 (9th Cir. May 15, 2020)

  • sua sponte motion to reopen; sua sponte motion reconsider; fundamental change in law; equitable tolling

5/10/20

Mero v Barr, No. 17-70929 (9th Cir. May 1, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; sexual abuse of minor; INA § 101(a)(43)(A); categorical approach; Nevada; NRS § 200.730; possession of child pornography

Romero-Millan, et al. v. Barr, Nos. 16-73915, 17-72893 (9th Cir. May 4, 2020)

  • controlled substance; categorical approach; divisibility; certification; Arizona; A.R.S. § 13-3415; drug paraphernalia; A.R.S.§ 13-3408(A)(2); drug possession for sale

Aguilar Fermin v. Barr, Nos. 18-70855, 18-73266 (9th Cir. May 5, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture; adverse credibility; jurisdiction; Pereira v. Sessions; notice to appear

Matter of Herrera-Vasquez, 27 I&N Dec. 825 (BIA 2020)

  • notice to appear; alien classification box; DHS mistakes; Migrant Protection Protocols; jurisdiction; termination

United States v. Sineneng-Smith, No. 19-67 (U.S. May 7, 2020)

  • 8 U.S.C. § 1324; bringing in or harboring certain aliens; overbreadth doctrine

Cucalon v. Barr, No. 181292 (4th Cir. May 7, 2020)

  • aggravated felony; drug trafficking; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); violation of a law relating to a controlled substance; INA § 237(a)(2)(B)(i); categorical approach; divisibility; modified categorical approach; Shepard documents; Virginia; VA Code § 18.2-248(D); distribution of cocaine as an accommodation

Bakor v. Barr, No. 183011 (8th Cir. May 7, 2020)

  • crime involving moral turpitude; CIMT; INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii); Minnesota; Minn. Stat. § 609.3451 sub-division 1; criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree; Minn. Stat. § 243.166 subdivision 5(a); failure to register as a sex offender

5/3/2020

Barton v. Barr, No. 18-725 (U.S. Apr. 23, 2020)

  • “rendered inadmissible”; INA § 240A(d)(1)(B); cancellation of removal; stop-time rule

Peters v. Barr, No. 16-73509 (9th Cir. Apr. 2, 2020)

  • adjustment of status; failure to maintain lawful status exception; INA § 245(c)

Sutarsim v. Barr, No. 18-1937 (1st Cir. May 1, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; changed country conditions; Indonesia; Chinese ethnicity

Scarlett v. Barr, No. 16-940 (2d Circ. Apr. 28, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture; “unable or unwilling”; government officials; Jamaica; gangs

Guzman-Orellana v. Att’y Gen., No. 19-1793 (3d Cir. Apr. 17, 2020)

  • asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture; particular social group; imputed; El Salvador; gangs; government witness

Calderon-Rosas v. Att’y Gen., No. 19-2332 (3d Cir. Apr. 27, 2020)

  • motion to reopen; ineffective assistance of counsel; prejudice; cancellation of removal

Perez v. Barr, No. 16-71918 (9th Cir. Apr. 27, 2020)

  • mental incompetency; attorney’s fees

Banuelos v. Barr, 953 F.3d 1176 (10th Cir. Mar. 25, 2020)

  • Pereira v. Sessions; stop-time rule; notice to appear; cancellation of removal
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