Yalincak v. Holder

352 F. App'x 584
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit
DecidedNovember 10, 2009
DocketNos. 08-3014-ag (L), 08-4231-ag (Con)
StatusPublished

This text of 352 F. App'x 584 (Yalincak v. Holder) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Yalincak v. Holder, 352 F. App'x 584 (2d Cir. 2009).

Opinion

SUMMARY ORDER

Ayfer Yalincak, a native and citizen of Turkey, seeks review of: (1) a May 22, 2008 order of the BIA affirming the January 16, 2008 decision of Immigration Judge (“IJ”) Michael W. Straus, which denied her applications for withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”), and for a waiver of inadmissibility under INA § 209(c), In re Ayfer Yalincak, No. A073 393 720 (B.I.A. May 22, 2008), aff'g No. A073 393 720 (Immig. Ct. Hartford, CT Jan. 16, 2008); and (2) a July 31, 2008 order of the BIA denying her motion to reconsider, In re Ayfer Yalincak, No. A073 393 720 (B.I.A. July 31, 2008). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

At the outset, we note that because Yalincak was charged as removable based on her conviction of an aggravated felony, our jurisdiction is limited by 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(C), such that we may review only constitutional claims and questions of law, see 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(D); Xiao Ji Chen v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 471 F.3d 315, 329-30 (2d Cir.2006).

I. Dkt. No. 08-3014-ag (L): Withholding of Removal

When the BIA does not expressly “adopt” the IJ’s decision, but its brief opinion closely tracks the IJ’s reasoning, the Court may consider both the IJ’s and the BIA’s opinions “for the sake of completeness.” Zaman v. Mukasey, 514 F.3d 233, 237 (2d Cir.2008). We review the agency’s factual findings under the substantial evidence standard. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Manzur v. U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 494 F.3d 281, 289 (2d Cir.2007). [587]*587We review de novo questions of law and the application of law to undisputed fact. See Salimatou, Bah v. Mukasey, 529 F.3d 99, 110 (2d Cir.2008).

A. Aggravated Felony

In her brief to this Court, Yalincak argues that she was not convicted of an aggravated felony. Ordinarily, we would retain jurisdiction to review such an argument. See Vargas-Sarmiento v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 448 F.3d 159, 164 (2d Cir.2006). However, as the Government contends, this argument, which Yalincak makes in this Court in the first instance, is not exhausted. Because the agency never had the opportunity to consider it, we decline to do so. See Lin Zhong v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 480 F.3d 104, 107 n. 1, 122 (2d Cir.2007) (reaffirming that this Court “may consider only those issues that formed the basis for [the BIA’s] decision”); see also Foster v. INS, 376 F.3d 75, 78 (2d Cir.2004) (holding that petitioner failed to exhaust his claim that his manslaughter conviction should not qualify as an aggravated felony).2

B. Adverse Credibility Determination

To the extent that Yalincak argues that the agency’s adverse credibility determination was not supported by substantial evidence, because these arguments merely quarrel with the agency’s fact-finding, we lack jurisdiction to review them.3 See Xiao Ji Chen, 471 F.3d at 329-30.

C. Due Process

Yalincak also advances a due process argument arguably so insubstantial and frivolous as to be beyond the scope of our review. See Barco-Sandoval v. Gonzales, 516 F.3d 35, 39 (2d Cir.2008) (providing that this Court lacks jurisdiction to review any legal argument that is so insubstantial and frivolous as to be inadequate to invoke federal-question jurisdiction). Yet, even assuming our jurisdiction, there is no merit to Yalincak’s claims that the IJ violated her due process rights by not permitting her counsel to make a closing argument and by preventing her from presenting evidence. The record reflects that Yalincak’s attorney never requested the opportunity to make a closing argument, and that the IJ accepted all of Yalincak’s documentary evidence.

D. Waiver of Inadmissibility

As relief from removal, Yalincak sought a waiver of inadmissibility under INA § 209(c). In order to merit such a waiver, an alien must show that she should be admitted to the United States “for humanitarian purposes,” or “to assume family unity.” 8 U.S.C. § 1159(c); see Matter of Jean, 23 I. & N. Dec. 373 (AG 2002). The agency denied Yalincak’s request for a waiver because, despite hardships to her family, she was convicted of two separate “fraud schemes,” and thus did not merit a favorable exercise of discretion. To the extent that Yalincak argues that the agency failed to properly weigh the factors in considering her eligibility for the waiver, her arguments merely quarrel with the [588]*588agency’s exercise of discretion. This Court lacks jurisdiction to review such arguments. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(C); Xiao Ji Chen, 471 F.3d at 329-30.

II. Dkt. No. 08-4231-ag (Con): Motion to Reconsider

Our jurisdiction to review the BIA’s denial of Yalincak’s motion to reconsider is no greater than our jurisdiction to review the agency’s underlying denial of relief. See Durant v. INS, 393 F.3d 113, 115-16 (2d Cir.2004) (“While final orders of removal and orders denying motions to reopen are treated as separate final orders and require separate petitions for review, ... these orders are sufficiently connected that permitting review of a motion to reopen when § 1252(a)(2)(C) bars review of the final order of removal would provide an improper backdoor method of challenging a removal order.”). Accordingly, we limit our analysis to those arguments that may be considered constitutional claims or questions of law. See Xiao Ji Chen, 471 F.3d at 329-30.

Yalincak argues that the agency erred in denying her application for withholding of removal and her waiver of inadmissibility because she was previously found credible and granted asylum. She contends that the agency was barred from relitigating her past persecution claim and credibility under the law of the case doctrine.4 “The law of the case ordinarily forecloses re-litigation of issues expressly or impliedly decided by the appellate court.” United States v. Quintien,

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Manzur v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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S-Y-G
24 I. & N. Dec. 247 (Board of Immigration Appeals, 2007)
JEAN
23 I. & N. Dec. 373 (Board of Immigration Appeals, 2002)
THOMAS
21 I. & N. Dec. 20 (Board of Immigration Appeals, 1995)

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Bluebook (online)
352 F. App'x 584, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/yalincak-v-holder-ca2-2009.