Islam v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security

136 F. Supp. 3d 1088, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 129538, 2015 WL 5653548

• Court: District Court, N.D. California
• Decided: September 25, 2015
• Docket: Case No. 14-cv-05326-RS
• Status: Published

Opinion

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION

RICHARD SEEBORG, United States District Judge

I. INTRODUCTION

In this action brought under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA,”) plaintiff Mohammad Sher Islam challenges a decision of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to deny his application for adjustment of citizenship status from asylee to lawful permanent resident. The central dispute between the parties is whether collateral estoppel applies to the issue of Islam’s involvement in terrorist activities. An Immigration Judge’s (“IJ’s”) decision to grant an application.for asylum necessarily includes a determination that the applicant was not involved in terrorist activity prior to the proceeding. Therefore, if collateral estoppel does apply, the IJ’s decision to grant Islam’s application for asylum would preclude the USCIS from denying his application for adjustment of status based on terrorist activity that occurred before the asylum application was granted. Because no exceptions to the doctrine of collateral estoppel apply here, the USCIS’s decision to deny Islam’s application for adjustment of státus- Was arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law. Plaintiffs request'for relief under the APA is granted.

II. BACKGROUND

Plaintiff Mohammed Islam fled Pakistan in 2000 for fear of persecution, and applied for asylum in the United States.' In order for' an IJ to grant an application for asylum, the applicant must show that he or she qualifies as a refugee. 8 "U.S.C. § 1158(b)(1)(A). A refugee is a person unwilling or unable to return to their home country “because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership' in 'a particular social group, or political opinion.” 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(42)(A). The applicant also must show that -there are ho statutory bars that would preclude him or her from relief. One'such statutory bar is 8 U.S.C. § 1158(b)(2)(A)(v), which states that an alien who was involved in terrorist activity as defined in sub clauses -(I), (II), (III), (IV), or (VI) of * 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)® ■ or ■ 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(4)(B) shall not be granted asylum. An IJ cannot -grant asylum to an applicant who falls within any of the aforementioned sub clauses.-

Initially, the IJ denied plaintiffs asylum application, but the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) reversed and remanded the case back to immigration court for further consideration. On remand, the IJ granted plaintiffs asylum application pursuant to the BIA’s decision. One year later, plaintiff filed a Form 1-485 application with tinie USCIS tó adjust his citizenship status from asylee to lawful permanent resident. The USCIS deemed plaintiff ineligible for an adjustment of. status because of his involvement with the All. Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization (“APM-SO”) and Muttahida Quomi Movement-Al-taf .Faction .(“MQM-A”) in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act § 212(a)(3)(B)(i)(I).

The USCIS declared plaintiff ineligible for an adjustment of status to permanent resident because he “engaged, in terrorist activity,” which is the statutory bar described in 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(I). Specifically, the USCIS determined that plaintiff provided material support and financial contribution under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(VI)(dd) and solicited money for a Tier III .terrorist organization under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(IV)(cc). A Tier III terrorist .organization .is an un-designated “group of two or more individuals, whether organized or not, which engages in, or has a subgroup which engages in” committing, planning, gathering information for, soliciting funds or soliciting people for a terrorist activity. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(vi)(III); 8, U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(iv)(I)-(VI).:. Defendant brings a motion for summary judgment requesting” that this court uphold the US-CIS’s denial of plaintiff’s adjustment of status application based on his engagement in terrorist activities.

The parties bring cross motions for summary judgment, on the issue of whether the IJ’s decision to grant Islam asylum precludes the USCIS from denying him an adjustment of status based on terrorist activity because it was already litigated by the same parties and a final judgment was entered on the merits.¹ For the reasons 'set forth below, collateral estoppel is triggered by the prior proceeding and, accordingly, plaintiffs motion must be granted and defendant’s cross motion denied.

III. LEGAL STANDARD

Under the Administrative Procedure Act, a reviewing court may set aside an agency’s action if it is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law,” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). Agency action may be reversed under the APA’s arbitrary and capricious standard only “if the agency has relied on factors which Congress has not intended it to consider, entirely failed to consider an important aspect of the problem, offered an explanation for its decision that runs counter to the evidence before the agency, or is so implausible that it could not be ascribed to a difference in vitew or the product of agency expertise.” Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass’n of U.S., Inc. v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 463 U.S. 29, 43, 103 S.Ct. 2856, 77 L.Ed.2d 443 (1983).

Where the court is reviewing an agency’s construction of a statute, the court must consider first whether Congress has directly addressed the issue. Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 842, 104 S.Ct. 2778, 81 L.Ed.2d 694 (1984). “If the intent of Congress is clear, that is the end of the matter; for the court, as well as the agency, must give effect to the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress.” Id. at 842-43, 104 S.Ct. 2778. If the statute is ambiguous, the court must determine whether the agency’s construction of the statute is reasonable. Id. If the construction is reasonable, then the court should give deference to the agency,’ ‘unless it appears that the agency’s construction is contrary to clear Congressional intent. Id. at 845, 104 S.Ct. 2778; INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca, 480 U.S. 421, 447-48, 107 S.Ct. 1207, 94 L.Ed.2d 434 (1987).

IV. DISCUSSION .

A. The Elements of Collateral Estoppel Are Met. • ■

Collateral estoppel, also known as issue preclusion, “applies only where it is established that ‘(1) the issue necessarily decided at the previous proceeding is identical to the one which is sought to be relitigated; (2) the first proceeding ended with a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom collateral es-toppel is asserted was a party or in privity with a party at the first proceeding.’” Hydranautics v. FilmTec Corp., 204 F.3d 880, 885 (9th Cir.2000) (quoting Younan v. Caruso, 51 Cal.App.4th 401, 406-07, 59 Cal.Rptr.2d 103 (1996)). Once an issue is actually litigated, the court’s determiriation is conclusive in subsequent suits based on different causes of action. In re Berr, 172 B.R. 299, 306 (9th Cir. BAP 1994).

The rationale behind collateral estoppel is the “obvious principle of judicial policy that a losing litigant deserves no rematch after a defeat fairly suffered, in adversarial proceedings, on an issue identical in substance to the one he subsequently seeks to -raise.” Astoria Federal Sav. and Loan Ass’n v. Solimino, 501 U.S. 104, 107, 111 S.Ct. 2166, 115 L.Ed.2d 96 (1991). To allow repeated claims on the same issue would drain judicial resources-and overly burden parties who have already argued to final judgment successfully. Id. at 107-08, 111 S.Ct. 2166.

Collateral estoppel is not appropriate if it is clear from the plain language of the statute that to apply the preclusion would be contrary to the legislative intent. Id. at 108, 111 S.Ct. 2166. There is still a presumption, however, that Congress legislated with common law adjudieatoiy principles — like collateral estoppel — in mind. Id. Collateral estoppel also applies to the decisions of administrative ' agencies. “When an administrative agency is acting in a judicial capacity and resolved disputed issues of fact properly before it which the parties have had an adequate opportunity to litigate, the courts have not- hesitated to apply res judicata to enforce, repose.” United States v. Utah Const. & Mining Co., 384 U.S. 394, 421-22, 86 S.Ct. 1545, 16 L.Ed.2d 642 (1966) (collecting cases). The Supreme Court has “long favored application of the common-law doctrines of collatr eral estoppel (as-to issues) an,d res judicata (as to claims) to those determinations of administrative bodies that have attained finality.” Astoria, 501 U.S. at 107-08, 111 S.Ct. 2166. The Ninth Circuit has further stated that “[i]ssue preplusion applies to immigration proceedings.” Belayneh v. I.N.S., 213 F.3d 488, 492 (9th Cir.2000).

i. The Same Parties Appear in Both Proceedings.

It is undisputed that the same parties appeared in the 2007 asylum proceeding as in the status adjustment proceeding. This element of collateral estoppel is met if the party against whom issue preclusion is asserted “was a party or in privity with a party at the first proceeding.” Paulo v. Holder, 669 F.3d 911, 917 (9th Cir.2011) (quoting Hydranautics v. FilmTec Corp., 204 F.3d 880, 885 (9th Cir.2000)). In plaintiffs asylum proceedings, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) represented the government. USClS is a sub-agency of the DHS. Therefore, the first prong of the collateral estoppel test is fulfilled because the DHS and the USCIS share an agency relationship and a sub stantial interest. See U.S. v. ITT Rayonier, Inc., 627 F.2d 996, 1003 (9th Cir.1980).

ii. The Issue was Actually Litigated.

The. question of whether plaintiff was inadmissible for adjustment, of status based on terrorist activities under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(i) is' the same issue that was decided in plaintiffs 2007 asylum proceedings when it was actually litigated. For collateral estoppel to apply, plaintiff is required' to show that the estopped issue is identical to an issue already litigated and that the-issue must have been decided in the first case. Steen v. John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co., 106 F.3d 904, 912 (9th Cir. 1997).

An asylee who has been physically present in the country for at least one year can apply for an adjustment of status to permanent resident status if he is “admissible... as an' immigrant under this chapter at' the time of examination for adjustment.” 8 U.S.C. § 1159(a)(2)(b). One way an alien is considered inadmissible is if he engaged in terrorist activity as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(I), the same statute used in asylum proceedings. “In other words, both 8 U.S.C. § 1158 (the statute governing petitions for asylum) and 8 U.S.C. § 1159 (the statute governing petitions for permanent resident status,) look to 8 U.S.C. § 1182 (the statute governing inadmissible aliens) to determine whether an alien is eligible for relief.” Amrollah v. Napolitano, 710 F.3d 568, 571 (5th Cir. 2013). Thus, the issues were identical at each proceeding.

Indeed, the precise issue of whether Islam participated in terrorist activity under 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(I) was actually litigated in the asylum proceeding. The DHS cross examined Islam during his asylum hearing about his involvement in MQM-A and APMSO. (AR 203-219, 247-264). The DHS and Islam, during-closing argument, each addressed whether Islam was involved in terrorist activity. (AR 268-279).

Defendant argues that the IJ’s opinion never mentioned the relevant statute, 8 U.S.C. § 1182, and “[bjecause there is no final judgment with respect to Islam’s admissibility, collateral estoppel cannot apply.” (Def. Mot., ECF No. 18, 12:12-26).² It goes on to insist that because neither the I j nor the BIA in granting Islam asylum relied on the absence of any terrorist activity and “no provision under 8 U.S.C. § 1182 is mentioned in any of the three underlying decisions contained an the record,” the issue was not actually litigated. (Def. Mot. ECF No. 18, 12:18-20). Typically, collateral estoppel can only apply to issues' where there was an express finding on the allegation for which preclusion was sought. In re Harmon, 250 F.3d 1240, 1247 (9th Cir.2001) (quoting Williams v. Williams, 36 Cal.2d 289, 223 P.2d 248, 252 (1950)). “However, the express finding requirement can be waived if the court in the prior proceeding necessarily decided the issue: As a conceptual matter, if an issue was necessarily decided in a prior proceeding, it was actually litigated.” In re Harmon, 250 F.3d 1240, 1248 (9th Cir.2001). Because the IJ was statutorily barred from granting Islam asylum if he was found to have participated in terrorist activity, that issue was necessarily decided when the IJ did in fact grant Islam asylum.

iii. The Finding of Admissibility was Essential to the Prior Judgment.

Collateral estoppel applies here because the finding of admissibility was essential to the BIA’s final ruling. The applicable section of the relevant statute reads, “[a]ny alien who (I) has engaged in terrorist activity. . .is inadmissible.” 8 U.S.C. § 1182(A)(3)(b)(I). After both parties actually argued the issue, the IJ found Islam inadmissible for asylum because of a lack of credibility. (AR 107-122.) On appeal, the BIA declined to uphold the IJ’s “adverse credibility finding” and vacated the IJ’s decision. (AR 39-40.) On remand, the IJ granted Islam’s application for asylum, which by necessity meant the judge found that the terrorism bar did not apply. Had the terrorism bar applied, the IJ would have been precluded from granting Islam asylum.

Since the issue was fully .litigated by both parties, the BIA had a full record of Islam’s involvement in MQM-A and APM-SO. Against that backdrop, by definition the BIA found that Islam was not barred from asylum and therefore did not engage in terrorist activity.

B. The Plain Language of the Statute Indicates a Legislative Intent to Allow Collateral Estoppel to Apply. •

Collateral estoppel should not be applied where it is clear from the plain language of the statute that the legislature did not intend for it to apply. Astoria, 501 U.S. at 107, 111 S.Ct. 2166. Plaintiff and defendant disagree on the interpretation of the legislative intent of the statute.

Defendant contends the language that an asylee be admissible as a permanent resident “at the time of examination for adjustment,” contemplates an entirely new inquiry into the asylee’s admissibility regardless of the prior asylum proceeding. 8 U.S.C. § 1159(a)(2)(b)(5). Furthermore, defendant argues that because Congress enacted a two-step process for aliens to become permanent residents (the first step being the application for asylum and the second step being the adjustment of status application for permanent residency) that the statutory structure presumes two wholly separate and individual inquiries into admissibility. ' '

Plaintiff argues that the two-step statutory scheme enacted by congress is not intended to bar collateral estoppel, but instead to (1) account for changes in facts and circumstances that • might make an asylee ineligible for admissibility and (2) to adjudicate the separate statutory bars that exist for permanent residency, but that do not exist for asylum applicants. Plaintiffs argument is thé more persuasive.

' A presumption arises that Congress has legislated within the context of well-established common law principles (like collateral estoppel.) Astoria, 501 U.S. at 108, 111 S.Ct. 2166. The presumption of collateral estoppel applies unless “a statutory purpose to the contrary is evident.” Id. Defendant’s interpretation of the phrase “at the time” in 8 U.S.C. § 1159(a)(2)(b)(5) as reflecting Congress’s intent to foreclose collateral estoppel is unwarranted. As plaintiff points out, a change in facts or circumstances would make it necessary for a judge to reevaluate an asylee’s admissibility at the time of examination for adjustment. For example, if new facts arose that were not known to the IJ in Islam’s asylum proceeding about his involvement in terrorist activities, then it would be necessary to reevaluate his admissibility under § 1182(a). No such circumstance is present here as all parties agree Islam’s relevant activity ended in 1997, well before the 2007 asylum hearing.

Likewise, the two step' process is not indicative of the legislative intent to bar collateral estoppel. The second step (for adjustment of status) includes a number of bars to admissibility that do not apply to asylum applicants. See 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(l)-(10). The one year wait time is a trial period to allow the government to assess how an asylee adjusts to the United States. The second step is to evaluate any new, information or problems that may have arisen in that’year. There are no new allegations of terrorist activity pertaining to Islam any time after his asylum application was granted. Therefore, adjudicating the same issue twice is exactly what the goals of collateral estoppel are meant to prevent: .a. waste of judicial resources, unfairness to parties who have already fully litigated an issue, and inconsistent decisions. See Astoria, 501 U.S. at 107-08, 111 S.Ct. 2166; see also Amrollah v. Napolitano, 710 F.3d 568 (5th Cir.2013) (holding that an IJ’s decision to grant an (alien ásylum necessarily included a finding that he was not engaged in terrorist activities, and therefore the USCIS was collaterally estopped from denying that alien an adjustment of status on'those grounds).

. V. CONCLUSION

Because the decision of the US.CIS was contrary to law, plaintiffs motion for relief under thé APA is granted. Accordingly, the decision of the ÚSCIS denying Islam’s application for adjustment of status to permanent resident of the United States based oh 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(I) is reversed. Plaintiffs motion for summary judgment is GRANTED and defendant’s motion is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

1 . 'Plaintiff does not dispute that he was involved with MQM-A and APMSO in the past. In fact, he testified at his asylum proceeding that he put up posters for rallies, delivered messages and set up chairs for MQM-A. (AR 164-165).

2 . To clarify, defendant claims that the issue of whether or not Islam was "admissible” was not decided in the 2007 asylum hearing. It is unclear whether defendant means admissible as an asylee or admissible as a permanent resident. The issue of whether Islam was admissible as an asylee was necessarily decided ' in Islam’s 2007 asylum hearing because he was given asylum and none of the inadmissibility bars in 8 U.S.C. § 1182 applied to him (if they did apply, he would have been "ineligible to be admitted to the United States. ”) 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a). The issue of whether or not Islam was “admissible” as a permanent resident was not.decided in the 2007 asylum hearing, and plaintiff is not arguing that it was. What, according to plaintiff, is estopped is the issue of whether Islam was involved in terrorist activity.