Cases discussed on the Immigration Review Podcast

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

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

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

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)

• detention; reinstatement; withholding of removal; Nasrallah 
• Click here to support Immigrant’s List! – https://www.immigrantslist.org/

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)

• temporary protected status; TPS; admission; statutory interpretation
• Click here to support Immigrant’s List! – https://www.immigrantslist.org/

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

Links referenced in Arcos Sanchez :

• https://bit.ly/3bbU9mK
• https://bit.ly/3to1wh6

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

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:

• Mechanics of filing a PFR

• Practice Advisory on Guerrero-Lasprilla

• Practice Advisory on materiality post-Patel

• Practice Advisory on jurisdiction post-Patel

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