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FLORES DE LA ROSA v. GARLAND (2021)

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.2021-08-25No. No. 20-71072

Summary

Holding. The petition for review is denied. The BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to reconsider as untimely, in denying the motion to reopen for cancellation of removal because no previously unavailable evidence was presented, and in denying the motion to reopen for asylum because the petitioner failed to establish basic eligibility for relief.

Jose Flores De La Rosa, a Mexican citizen, sought judicial review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' refusal to reopen his removal proceedings. He challenged the denial of his motion to reconsider and his motion to reopen, which sought consideration of cancellation of removal and asylum claims. The court examined whether the BIA abused its discretion in rejecting these motions.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Timeliness of motion to reconsider under 30-day statutory deadline
  • Whether new evidence supporting motion to reopen was previously unavailable
  • Prima facie eligibility for asylum relief
  • Alleged factual misstatements by BIA regarding fear of return

Procedural posture

The petitioner sought review in the circuit court of the BIA's final order denying his motions to reconsider and reopen removal proceedings.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Jose Flores De La Rosa

1

, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order denying his motion to reconsider and reopen removal proceedings. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review the denial of motions to reopen or to reconsider for abuse of discretion. Toor v. Lynch, 789 F.3d 1055, 1059 (9th Cir. 2015). We review de novo claims of due process violations in immigration proceedings. Jiang v. Holder, 754 F.3d 733, 738 (9th Cir. 2014). We deny the petition for review.

The BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to reconsider as untimely where it was filed more than 30 days after the order of removal became final. See 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(c)(6)(B) (motions to reconsider must be filed within thirty days of final administrative order); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(b)(2) (same).

The BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying Flores De La Rosas motion to reopen to apply for cancellation of removal, where Flores De La Rosa failed to offer evidence that was not previously available. See 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(c)(1); Bhasin v. Gonzales, 423 F.3d 977, 984 (9th Cir. 2005) (new evidence in support of a motion to reopen must not have been able to be discovered or presented at the time of the former hearing); see also Carrillo-Gonzalez v. INS, 353 F.3d 1077, 1079 (9th Cir. 2003) (statements of counsel do not constitute evidence). The BIA also did not abuse its discretion in denying Flores De La Rosas motion to reopen to apply for asylum where he failed to establish prima facie eligibility for such relief. See Lopez-Vasquez v. Holder, 706 F.3d 1072, 1080 (9th Cir. 2013) (“The BIA is entitled to deny a motion to reopen where the applicant fails to demonstrate prima facie eligibility for the underlying relief.”).

We reject as unsupported by the record Flores De La Rosas contentions that, in its analysis of his motion to reopen, the BIA misstated facts, including whether Flores De La Rosa articulated a fear of returning to Mexico, or otherwise erred in the analysis of his motion.

Flores De La Rosas remaining contentions that the BIA ignored arguments, failed to provide a reasoned explanation, or otherwise violated his right to due process fail. See Lata v. INS, 204 F.3d 1241, 1246 (9th Cir. 2000) (requiring error to prevail on a due process claim); Najmabadi v. Holder, 597 F.3d 983, 990 (9th Cir. 2010) (the BIA need not write an exegesis on every contention); Fernandez v. Gonzales, 439 F.3d 592, 603 (9th Cir. 2006) (petitioner did not overcome the presumption that the BIA reviewed the record).

The temporary stay of removal remains in place until issuance of the mandate.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

FOOTNOTES

1

.   Although petitioners name appears as “Jose Flores De La Rosa” in the Petition for Review and Opening Brief, it appears as “Jose Flores-De La Rosa” in the agency decisions, Notice to Appear, and Answering Brief.