Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180425_0001194.MPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 16:14:59+00:00

Document:
Before the Court is Petitioner Alfredo Chica-Iglesia's petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241, challenging the constitutionality of his detention by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration, and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) at the Pike County Correctional Facility, Pennsylvania since May 22, 2017. (Doc. No. 1.) Following an Order to show cause (Doc. No. 5), Respondent filed a response, contending that Petitioner is an “arriving alien” who is lawfully detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) and is not entitled to release or a bond hearing. (Doc. No. 7.) For the reasons set forth below, the Court will dismiss Petitioner's writ of habeas corpus.
The Third Circuit has granted Petitioner a temporary stay of removal, hence, the order of removal has not become administratively final, and Petitioner is still considered to be in pre-removal immigration detention. See 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(1)(B)(i) (providing removal period begins on the “date the order of removal becomes administratively final”). 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) governs the detention of “aliens arriving in the United States, ” and mandates the detention of “arriving aliens” who do not possess valid entry or travel documents when they arrive. See Ahmed v. Lowe, Civ. No. 3:16-CV-2082, 2017 WL 2374078 (M.D. Pa. May 31, 2017) (finding that because petitioner was classified as an “arriving alien, ” his detention is controlled by § 1225(b)). Section 1225(b) provides that arriving aliens are inspected immediately upon arrival in the United States by an officer of the United States Customs and Boarder Control. If the immigration officer determines that the alien is inadmissible because the alien cannot produce valid entry documents, see 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(7), “the officer shall order the alien removed from the United States without further hearing or review.” 8 C.F.R. § 1235.3(b)(1)(I), (b)(2)(ii) (providing that arriving aliens subject to expedited removal are not entitled to a hearing or appeal of this decision).
If, however, the alien “indicates an intention to apply for asylum . . . or a fear of persecution, the officer shall refer the alien for an interview by an asylum officer.” 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b)(1)(A)(ii); see 8 C.F.R. § 235.3(b)(4) (“If an alien subject to the expedited removal provisions indicates an intention to apply for asylum, or expresses a fear of persecution or torture, or a fear of return to his or her country, the inspecting officer shall not proceed further with removal of the alien until the alien has been referred for an interview by an asylum officer.”).
Should the asylum officer determine that the alien has a credible fear of persecution, the alien “shall be detained for further consideration of the application for asylum.” 8 U.S.C. §1225(b)(1)(B)(ii). If the alien receives a positive credible fear determination, the alien will be placed in removal proceedings. 8 C.F.R. § 235.6(a)(1)(ii). The alien, however, remains detained pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b) during the pendency of these proceedings. The only statute which permits an alien's release from § 1225(b) custody is 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A), pursuant to which an alien may be paroled into the United States if the Attorney General determines “on a case-by-case basis” that “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit” warrant the alien's release. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)(A). Decisions under § 1182 are purely discretionary and the regulations prevent an immigration judge from “redetermin[ing] conditions of custody” with respect to certain classes of aliens, including “[a]rriving aliens in removal proceedings, including aliens paroled after arrival pursuant to section 212(d)(5) of the Act.” 8 C.F.R. § 1003.19(h)(2)(i)(B).
As provided for above, Petitioner is subject to removal pursuant to § 212(a)(6)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”), as an alien present in the United States without being admitted or paroled and § 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the INA, as an alien convicted of committing acts which constitute the essential elements of a crime involving moral turpitude. (Doc. No. 7-1 at 10.) Respondent contends that because Petitioner was never admitted into the United States, he is an inadmissible arriving alien and his detention is controlled by 8 U.S.C. § 1225(b), rather than § 1226(c). (Doc. No. 7.) In his petition, Petitioner originally claimed that his detention was controlled by § 1226(c) (Doc. No. 1), but now, through the filing of his traverse, appears to agree with Respondent that his detention is controlled by § 1225(b) (Doc. No. 8). As will be discussed below, whether Petitioner is detained pursuant to § 1225(b) or § 1226(c) does not alter the outcome of his case.
§ 1225(b) applies primarily to aliens seeking entry into the United States (“applicants for admission” in the language of the statute). Section 1225(b) divides these applicants into two categories. First, certain aliens claiming a credible fear of persecution under § 1225(b)(1) “shall be detained for further consideration of the application for asylum.” § 1225(b)(1)(B)(ii). Second, aliens falling within the scope of § 1225(b)(2) “shall be detained for a [removal] proceeding.” § 1225(b)(2)(A).

References: § 2241
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 § 1231
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 § 1225
 § 1182
 § 1235
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 § 235
 §1225
 § 235
 § 1225
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 § 1182
 § 1182
 § 1182
 § 1003
 § 212
 § 212
 § 1225
 § 1226
 § 1226
 § 1225
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§ 1225
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