R-M

8 I. & N. Dec. 397

• Court: Board of Immigration Appeals
• Decided: July 1, 1959
• Docket: ID 1010
• Status: Published

Opinion

MA TER OF R In DEPORTATION Proceedings A-7500998 Decided by Board Jane 19, 1959

Deportability—Section 241(a)(11) of 1952 act—Mere possession of marihuana not deportation ground.

Conviction of simple possession of marihuana held not to be deportable of- fense under section 241 (a) (11) of the 1952 act. (Follows Hoy v. Mendoza- RiTera,, C.A. 9, April 3, 1959, and modifies Matter of 7 I. & N. Dec. 571.)

CHARGE : Order : Act of 1952—Section 241(a) (11) [8 U.S.C. 1251 (a) (11)1—Convicted of illegal possession of marihuana.

BEFORE THE BOARD

Discussion: This case is before us on appeal from a special inquiry officer's order of January 22, 1959, directing that the respondent be deported from the United States in the manner provided by law on the charge contained in the order to show cause. The record relates to a 41-year-old married male who last entered the United States on January 7, 1958, as a returning resident alien. However, he now claims birth in Amargosa, Arizona, on November 30, 1917. But, upon careful consideration of the evidence of record, which has been fully discussed in the special inquiry officer's opinion, we find that the Government has met the burden resting on it in this proceeding of establishing alienage. We will summarize that evi- dence briefly. A baptismal certificate issued on February 8, 1918. as well as one issued in 1958, reflects birth in Mexico; the godmother has testified that respondent's father furnished the information reflected therein; and the respondent has admitted that his father told him his bap- tismal certificate showed birth in Mexico. Forms 1-104—A, certificate of admission of respondent's parents on March 2, 1923, shows that respondent, then aged five, was born in Mexico; and Forms I-404—A relating to his admissions in 1940 and 1941, show respondent's birth- place as Mexico. Alien Registration Forms executed by respondent under oath in 1940 and 1953 contain statements by him that he was 397 born in Mexico. He also claimed birth in Mexico in a sworn state- ment to an immigration officer on February 2, 1958, and he then ,presented an Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form 1-151). The evidentiary value of the documents submitted by the respond- 'ent is strictly limited by their nature in relation to the issue involved .here. His army discharge reflects birth in the United States, but the record reveals that said recitation therein is based on respondent's unsupported claim and United States citizenship is not a require- ment for military service. (See Matter of M , 6 I. & N. Dec. 415.) The same is true of the certificate of respondent's school at- tendance in Arizona in 1928-1929. The weight to be accorded the testimony of respondent's sister, his senior by 18 years, is affected by the relationship. The same is true of the testimony of his aunt, his mother's sister, who was also his godmother; and her testimony was also hearsay. The testimony of his father's -Friend and former employer was also hearsay The only remaining issue is that of deportability, which is predi- cated on respondent's conviction in the Superior Court, Pinal County, Arizona, for the offense of illegally having marihuana in his pos- session on or about January 8, 1958. Imposition of sentence was suspended for a term of two years; respondent was placed on pro- bation for that period; and the court reserved the right to impose service of the sentence. within the probationary period, if respondent should violate the conditions of probation. It has been judicially determined that, insofar as marihuana is involved, deportability under section 241(a) (11) of the Immigration and Nationality Act depends upon a conviction for possession for the purpose of manufacture, production, etc. (Hoy v. Mendoza- Rivera, C.A. 9, April 3, 1959, :t16,170). This record, however, establishes that the respondent was only convicted of illegal posses- sion of marihuana. Therefore, in the light of the cited decision he does not fall in the ambit of the statute. In Matter of M V , 7 I. & N. Dec. 571, we considered whether the amendment to section 241(a) (11) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1251) by the Narcotic Control Act of 1950 was retroactive. We held that it was. Involved was a con- viction for unlawful possession of marihuana. The issue in the Mendoza-Rivera case, supra, was not raised in Matter of M V , supra. The latter decision must. 11P. read in the, light, of our holding in the instant case. Order : It is ordered that the proceeding be terminated.