Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_09-cv-01948/USCOURTS-azd-2_09-cv-01948-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 465
Nature of Suit: Other Immigration Actions
Cause of Action: 08:1252(a)(2) Injunction for Deportation

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Alfredo Carrillo-Lozano, 

Petitioner, 

vs.

Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, 

Respondent. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CV-09-1948-PHX-NVW

ORDER

On April 27, 2010, the Court conducted a bench trial at which both Petitioner and

Respondent submitted documentary and testimonial evidence relevant to the status of

Petitioner’s United States citizenship. At trial, to counter a certification of a marriage

record indicating that Petitioner’s parents were married at the time of his birth, Petitioner

offered into evidence his proposed Exhibit 4B, a document that purports to be a

handwritten account of his parents’ marriage ceremony signed by his mother but possibly

not his father. Because the document lacked attestation and final certification, it was

tentatively excluded pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 44(a)(2) and Fed. R. Evid. 901(a). The

Court indicated, however, that it may reconsider its ruling at a later time. 

On June 8, 2010, the Court issued preliminary findings of fact based on all

evidence except Petitioner’s proposed Exhibit 4B. (Doc. 161.) There was some concern,

however, that Petitioner’s parents’ marriage record, upon which a number of the Court’s

preliminary findings were based, may have been derived in whole or in part from

Case 2:09-cv-01948-NVW Document 201 Filed 08/20/10 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 - 2 -

proposed Exhibit 4B. (Id.) To avoid the delay and expense associated with ascertaining

the document’s origin and obtaining a complete copy, the Court appointed expert witness

Lic. Nicolas Jesus Olea Osuna to render an opinion as to whether the possible absence of

Petitioner’s father’s signature on the document had any legal effect on the validity of his

marriage to Petitioner’s mother under Mexican law at the time. (Id.) 

Mr. Olea issued his opinion on June 28, 2010. (Doc. 173.) He concluded that

Petitioner’s parents’ marriage “is valid because it has not been nullified by a final

resolution of a competent judge, in a trial in which the interested parties can participate.” 

In reaching his conclusion, Mr. Olea relied on Article 123 of the Zacatecas Family

Relations Act in effect at the time of the marriage. The English translation of Article 123

provides that “the marriage, once contracted, is presumed valid; it shall only be

considered null when it is declared to be so by a judgment that becomes final.” Mr. Olea

also relied on a judicial opinion establishing that Zacatecas legislation “does not authorize

the acknowledgment of nullity by operation of law” and that “nullities have to be declared

by a judicial authority, in all cases, after a formal proceeding has been executed.”

The Court hereby adopts Mr. Olea’s opinion as its own. Because there is no

evidence that Petitioner’s parents’ marriage was ever declared void by final judgment of a

court of law, whatever Petitioner’s proposed Exhibit 4B purports to show has no bearing

on the validity of the marriage. The Court therefore adopts the findings of fact and

conclusions of law stated in its June 8, 2010 Order (Doc. 161) as final and further

concludes: 

(1) Petitioner’s parents were legally married at the time of Petitioner’s birth on

February 25, 1953, in Mexico.

(2) Petitioner was not born out of wedlock. 

(3) Petitioner is not a United States citizen under INA § 309(c), 8 U.S.C. § 1409, or

INA § 301(a)(7), 8 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(7) (1950).

Case 2:09-cv-01948-NVW Document 201 Filed 08/20/10 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 - 3 -

A declaratory judgment in accordance with the final findings of fact and

conclusions of law is entered herewith. The parties are reminded that pursuant to the

Order of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Doc. 1), the parties are to file a copy

of this Court’s judgment, findings of fact, and conclusions of law with the Ninth Circuit

Court of Appeals within 14 days from the date of judgment. Petitioner is further

reminded that he must file his opening brief with the Court of Appeals within 40 days

from today, the date of judgment.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Declaratory Judgment be entered in the form

filed herewith. The Clerk shall terminate this action.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court file with the Clerk of the

Court of Appeals copies of this order, the order filed June 8, 2010 (Doc. 161), and the

Declaratory Judgment filed herewith.

Dated: August 20, 2010.

Case 2:09-cv-01948-NVW Document 201 Filed 08/20/10 Page 3 of 3