Zamudio-Pena v. Holder

333 F. App'x 165

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

Footnotes

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Julio Cesar Zamudio-Pena petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) decision that Zamudio-Pena was inadmissible on the basis of (1) his presence without admission or parole, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(6)(A)©; and (2) his conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II); and that he was ineligible for any relief, including voluntary departure, adjustment of status, and cancellation of removal. He does not contest his removability, but challenges the BIA’s denial of relief. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a), and grant his petition and remand for a new removal proceeding.

Zamudio-Pena argues that the immigration judge did not adequately inform him of his apparent eligibility for pre-hearing voluntary departure or sufficiently explain the differences between pre-hearing and post-hearing voluntary departure, and that the IJ’s failure to do so constituted a violation of his right to procedural due process. “The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process in deportation proceedings.” Campos-Sanchez v. INS, 164 F.3d 448, 450 (9th Cir.1999). To prevail on his claim, Zamudio-Pena must show both that a due process violation occurred and that prejudice resulted. Cano-Merida v. INS, 311 F.3d 960, 965 (9th Cir.2002).

Due process requires that an immigration judge inform an individual in removal proceedings of the individual’s “apparent eligibility” for relief. United States v. Muro-Inclan, 249 F.3d 1180, 1183 (9th Cir.2001) (citing 8 C.F.R. § 1240.49(a) (“The immigration judge shall inform the respondent of his or her apparent eligibility to apply for ... [a waiver of deportation].”)). “ ‘Apparent eligibility’ is a reasonable possibility that the alien may be eligible for relief.” Bui v. INS, 76 F.3d 268, 270-71 (9th Cir.1996). Zamudio-Pena’s claim involves the differences between “pre-hearing” voluntary departure, which must be granted prior to an individual’s first merits hearing, see 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(b)(1)(ii), and “post-hearing” voluntary departure, which is granted at the conclusion of an individual’s removal hearing, 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(c). Although a person must waive his or her right to appeal, concede removability, and withdraw other requests for relief to receive a grant of pre-hearing voluntary departure, 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(b)(l)(i)(B)-(D), it is generally more difficult to show eligibility for post-hearing voluntary departure which, unlike pre-hearing voluntary departure, requires a finding of both good moral character and physical presence in the United States for the year preceding the service of the Notice to Appear, 8 C.F.R. § mO^lcXlXiMii).¹ Here, had Zamu-dio-Pena made the proper waivers and concessions, he would have been eligible for pre-hearing voluntary departure, but may have been ineligible for post-hearing voluntary departure as a result of his conviction, which likely would have precluded a finding of good moral character.²

At Zamudio-Pena’s first appearance, a group proceeding of unrepresented individuals like Zamudio-Pena, the IJ stated that the members of the group “may be eligible for the relief of voluntary departure” and explained the requirements for pre-hearing voluntary departure. However, the IJ failed to advise the group of the differences in timing and eligibility between pre-hearing and post-hearing voluntary departure. In doing so, the IJ also failed to inform Zamudio-Pena, along with the group, that if he waited to request voluntary departure until his removal proceeding concluded, then he would be subject to more stringent requirements and could very well be ineligible for post-hearing voluntary departure.

Further, the IJ failed to cure the inadequacy of his first advisement at Za-mudio-Pena’s next individual hearing a few months later, and likely further confused Zamudio-Pena about his eligibility for relief. The IJ alluded to different requirements for pre-hearing and post-hearing voluntary departure by first stating “You can file an appeal if you wish, but that means you would be ineligible for voluntary departure,” and then stating, “Based on your drug violation if you wish to file an appeal, which is your right, I’d have to deny your voluntary departure .... ” [AR 21] However, the IJ failed to inform Zamudio-Pena that there were two forms of voluntary relief. As a result, Zamudio-Pena could have reasonably believed that he was ineligible for pre-hear-ing voluntary departure on the basis of his conviction. The IJ’s failure to properly advise Zamudio-Pena of his apparent eligibility for pre-hearing voluntary departure and of the differences between pre-hearing and post-hearing voluntary departure violated his right to procedural due process.

We also hold that this violation resulted in prejudice. To demonstrate prejudice, Zamudio-Pena must show that the violation “potentially affected the outcome of the proceedings.” Colmenar v. INS, 210 F.3d 967, 972 (9th Cir.2000) (quoting Campos-Sanchez, 164 F.3d at 450) (internal brackets omitted). As part of this showing, he must “plausibly demonstrate” his eligibility for voluntary departure. United States v. Jimenez-Borja, 378 F.3d 853, 859 (9th Cir.2004).

The IJ’s failure to provide Zamu-dio-Pena complete and accurate information regarding his apparent eligibility for pre-hearing voluntary departure and the differences between the two forms of voluntary departure potentially affected the outcome of the proceeding. Zamudio-Pena chose to preserve his right to appeal, which rendered him ineligible for pre-hear-ing voluntary departure. See 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(b)(l)(i)(D). However, it is reasonably likely that Zamudio-Pena would have requested pre-hearing voluntary departure and waived his right to appeal had he been properly advised during his removal proceeding.

The government argues that the IJ’s oral determination that he would deny voluntary departure in the exercise of discretion precludes Zamudio-Pena from “plausibly demonstrating]” his eligibility for relief. The record suggests, however, that this determination was directed at Zamu-dio-Pena’s eligibility for post-hearing voluntary departure; when the IJ made this statement, he had already determined that Zamudio-Pena was not eligible for pre-hearing voluntary departure. We further note that because pre-hearing voluntary departure permits IJs “to quickly and efficiently dispose of numerous cases on their docket, where appropriate,” In re Arguelles-Campos, 22 I. & N. Dec. 811, 817 (B.I.A.1999), the IJ here would have likely looked favorably upon a request for pre-hearing voluntary departure had Zamu-dio-Pena so requested.

We therefore GRANT Zamudio-Pena’s petition for review with respect to his due process challenge³ and REMAND for a new removal proceeding.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.

1

. Persons convicted of aggravated felonies or deportable on security-related grounds are ineligible for both pre-hearing and post-hearing voluntary departure. 8 C.F.R. § 1240.26(b)(l)(i)(E), (c)(l)(iii).

2

. The BIA ultimately determined that Zamu-dio-Pena’s conviction precluded a finding of good moral character and rendered him ineligible for voluntary departure at the conclusion of the proceeding. In light of our disposition, we need not address the propriety of this determination.

3

. Zamudio-Pena also challenges the BIA’s determination that he was barred from adjustment of status and cancellation of removal as a result of his conviction, for possession of drug paraphernalia. He argues that under Lujan-Armendariz v. INS, 222 F.3d 728, 749-50 (9th Cir.2000), this conviction should not be deemed a conviction for immigration purposes because he "would have been eligible for relief under the Federal First Offender Act had [his] offense[] been prosecuted as [a] federal crime[].” We do not address this issue here because a new removal hearing is required. On remand, Zamudio-Pena and the Agency may revisit this issue.