Case ID: f-appx_479/html/0096-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
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Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

J. Jesus MELGOZA-SANCHEZ, a.k.a. Jesus Melgoza, Petitioner, v. Eric H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 10-72160.
    United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
    Submitted July 17, 2012.
    
    Filed July 25, 2012.
    J. Jesus Melgoza-Sanchez, El Centro, CA, pro se.
    
      Jane Tracey Schaffner, DOJ — U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
    Before: SCHROEDER, THOMAS, and SILVERMAN, Circuit Judges.
    
      
       The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
    
   MEMORANDUM

J. Jesus Melgoza-Sanchez, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s removal order. We dismiss the petition for review.

We lack jurisdiction to review the order of removal against Melgoza-Sanchez because his December 23, 2005, conviction under California Health and Safety Code § 11377(a) renders him removable under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(B)®. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(C); Pagayon v. Holder, 675 F.3d 1182, 1189-90 (9th Cir.2011) (petitioner’s “pleading stage” admission that his conviction involved methamphetamine is sufficient to establish his removability).

We lack jurisdiction to consider Melgo-za-Sanchez’s challenge to the denial of his application for cancellation of removal in the exercise of discretion. See Bermudez v. Holder, 586 F.3d 1167, 1169 (9th Cir.2009) (per curiam). Melgoza-Sanchez’s contention that the agency abused its discretion in weighing his equities is not a colorable constitutional claim or question of law sufficient to restore the court’s jurisdiction. See Bazua-Cota v. Gonzales, 466 F.3d 747, 749 (9th Cir.2006) (per cu-riam) (contention that agency “fail[ed] to properly weigh the equities” is merely “an abuse of discretion challenge re-characterized as an alleged due process violation”). His contention that the government failed to prove he was ineligible for cancellation of removal is not colorable because he had the burden of proof to establish his eligibility for relief. See 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(c)(4)(A).

We lack jurisdiction to consider Melgoza-Sanchez’s remaining contentions because he did not exhaust them before the agency. See Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 678 (9th Cir.2004).

Melgoza-Sanchez’s motion for appointment of pro bono counsel is denied.

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