Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/232157722/Nyaken-Ansumana-Gamanga-A077-615-717-BIA-Apr-29-2014
Timestamp: 2017-10-20 06:57:14
Document Index: 159416749

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1003', '§ 1003', '§ 237', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§ 1003', '§ 1003', '§ 245', '§ 212', '§ 212', '§\n212', '§\n212', '§ 245']

Nyaken Ansumana Gamanga, A077 615 717 (BIA Apr. 29, 2014) | Removal Proceedings | United States Law
Description: In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) reopened proceedings and remanded the record in light of evidence submitted on appeal indicating that the respondent’s drug conv...
In this unpublished decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) reopened proceedings and remanded the record in light of evidence submitted on appeal indicating that the respondent’s drug conviction involved less than 30 grams of marijuana, thereby making him eligible for a waiver under INA 212(h) in connection with an adjustment application. The decision was written by Member Neil Miller. Looking for IRAC’s Index of Unpublished BIA Decisions? Visit www.irac.net/unpublished/index
P .0. BOX 810684
Name: GAMANGA, NYAKEH ANSUMANA
Of fice of the Chief Clerk
OHS/ICE OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL • DAL
125 E. JOHN CARPENTER FWY, SUITE 5
A 077-615-717
Date of this Notice: 4/29/2014
Executive Ofce fr ligat�on Review
Fans Church, Virginia 20530
File: A077 615 717-Dallas, TX
In re: NY AKEH ANSUMANA GAMANGA
ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT: Gary L. Davis, Esquire
APPLICATION: Reopenng
APR 2 9 2014
The respondent, a native and citizen of Siera Leone, appeals fom the Immigration Judge's
decision dated June 27, 2012, denying his motion to reopen. Duing the pendency of the appeal,
the respondent presented additional evidence in suppor of his motion. Te Depament of
Homeland Security has not responded to the appeal. The proceedings will be reopened and the
record will be remaded.
We review fr clear error the fndings of fct, including te determination of credibility,
made by the Immigation Judge. 8 C.F.R. § 1003.l(d)(3)(i). We review de novo all other issues,
including whether the paies have met the relevant burden of proof, ad issues of discretion.
8 C.F.R. § 1003.l{d)(3)(ii).
On Januy 10, 2012, the respondent fled a motion to reopen with the Immigration Judge to
apply fr adjustment of status based on a pending Form I-130, Petition fr Alien Relative, fled
on the respondent's behalf by his United States citizen wife. The Immigration Judge denied the
motion based on his conclusion that the respondent failed to demonstrate his prima fcie
eligibility fr adjustment of status. See, e.g., INS v. Dohert, 502 U. S. 314, 323 (1992) (a motion
to reopen to apply fr relief may be denied when the alien ha not demonstrated prima fcie
eligibility fr the relief sought). Specifcally, the Immigration Judge fund that the respondent
did not demonstate that he was not inadmissible uder section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) of the
Immigation ad Nationalit Act, 8 U. S.C. § l 182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II), because he did not provide any
evidence that his conviction fr possession of maijuaa involved 30 gras or less of maijuana
(l.J. at 3-5, June 27, 2012). See section 212(h) of the Act.
Based on te evidence provided to the Immigration Judge, we are not persuaded that he erred
in denying the respondent's motion to reopen. However, during the pendency of this appeal, the
respondent provided evidence indicating that his conviction fr possession of maijuana involved
30 grams or less of marijuana (Respondent's Supp. Br., Tab A). He has also included evidence
showing that the visa petition fled on his behalf has been approved, as well as copies of all
relevat applications fr relief (Respondent's Supp. Br., Tabs B-E). Because te respondent
appeas to be prima fcie eligible fr adjustment of status in conjunction with a waiver of
inadmissibility, we conclude that reopening is waranted. Accordingly, the instant proceedings
will be reopened and the record will be remanded to te Immigration Judge fr consideration of
te respondent's applications fr relief. The fllowing order shall be entered.
f` •
A077 615 717
ORER: The respondent's motion to reopen is granted ad the record is remaded to te
Immigration Cou fr frther proceedings consistent wit the fregoing opinion ad fr ent of
P.O. BOX 810684
. �-·-·
.�· .�.·
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMIGRATION �EVIEW
1100 COMERCE ST., ROOM 404
• �· - '• ·:'
IN THE MTTER OF
GAGA, NYAKH ASUA
FILE A 077-615-717 DATE: Jun 29, 2012
* ¸ ATTACHED IS A COPY OF THE DECISION OF THE IMMIGRTION JUDGE. . THIS DECISION
IS FINAL UNLESS A APPEA IS FILED WITH THE BOAD OF IMMIGRATION �PPEAS
SEE THE ENCLOSED FORMS AD INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY PREPARING YOU APPEAL.
YOUR NOTICE OF APPEAL, ATTACHED DOCUMENTS, A FEE OR FEE WAIVER REQUEST
MUST BE MAILED TO: BOARD OF IMIGRATION APPEALS
ATTACHED IS A COPY OF THE DECISION OF THE IMMIGRATION JUGE � THE RESULT
OF YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR AT YOUR SCHEDUED DEPORTATION OR REMOVAL HEAING.
THIS DECISION IS FINAL ULESS A MOTION TO REOPEN IS .FILED IN ACCORDACE
WITH SECTION 242B(c) (3) OF THE IMMIGRTION AD.NATIONALITY ACT, S U.S.C.
SECTION 1252B(c) (3) IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS OR SEC�)ON 240 (c) (6)
8 U.S.C. SECTION 122�a(c) (6) IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS� IF YOU FILE A MOTION
TO REOPEN, YOUR.MOTION MUST BE FILED WITH THIS C9URT:
COUT CL; b•
*MIGRATION COURT
CC: AGNELLO, MY F.
125 E. HWY 114, STE 500
IRVING, TX, .75062
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMGRATION RVIEW
IN THE MATTER OF: IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
GAMANGA, Nyakeh Ansynaba
A077-615-717
Section 237(a)(l)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, as amended, in tat afer admission as a nonimmigrant
under Section 1 01(a)(l5) of the Act you have remained in
the United States fr a time longer than permited, in
violation of this Act or ay other law of te Unted States
ON BEHALF OF THE RESPONDENT ON BEHALF OF THE DEPATMENT
Gary L. Davis, Esq.
Dallas� T 75381
May Agnello, Esq.
Asst. Chief Counsel - ICE
125 E. Joh Carenter Freeway, Ste. 500
WRITTEN DECISION OF THE IMMIGRATION JDGE
The Respondent is a male, native and citizen of Siera Leone. Exhibit 1. On or
about July 22, 2008 he was admitted into the United States at Dallas, Texas as a
nonimmigrant 82 visa holder, with authorization to remain i the United States fr a
temporay perod not to exceed Januar 21, 2009. Id He remained in the United States
beyond Jauary 21, 2009 without autrzation fom te Department of Homeland
Security (DHS or the Goverent). Id
On December 6, 2010 the DHS served the Respondent with a Notice to Appea
{T A), charging him with removability under INA § 237(a)(l )(B) as a alien who afer
admission as a nonimmigrant has remained in the United States fr a time longer tan
perited. Id
At a hearing on Ap�l 4, 2011 the Respondent appeared befre the Court ad
admited all of the allegations and conceded the chage. The Cour concluded tat
removability had been established by clear and convincing evidence. The Respondent
designated his county of removal as Sierra Leone.
At a hearing on May 16, 2011 the Respondent articulated his intent to apply fr
adjustent of status, based on a pending 1-130 Petition fled by his frer spouse. At
this hearing the Respondent admited to the Cour that he was convicted in 2009 fr the
possession of maijuana. The Cour noted that the Respondent is inadmissible under IA
§ 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II), as an alien convicted of, or who admits having commited, or who
admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of [ ... ] a violation of (or a
conspiracy or atempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a
freign country relating to a controlled substance. The Court instructed the Respondent
and the Respondent's frer counsel to provide, at the Respondent's next heaing,
documentation of the amount of marijuaa the Respondent was convicted of possessing.
If the Respondent could demonstate he was convicted of possessing 30 grams or less of
maijuana, he could demonstate his stattory eligibilit fr a waiver of inadmissibility
under IA§ 212(h).
At the Respondent's next hearing on October 31, 2011 the Cour admitted into the
record the Incident Report ad Inate Intake Form fr the Respondent's arest. The
Inate Intae Form indicates that the Respondent was convicted of the possession of
marijuana, less than 2 ounces. The Respondent also stated to the Court on the record that
he was convicted fr te possession of marijuana, less than two ounces. In addition, the
Respondent stated to the Cou that he and his spouse had divorced.
At the hearing on October 31, 2011 the Cou grated the Respondent volunt
departure, and ordered that the Respondent was required to depa the United States by
On Januay 10, 2012 te Respondent, through present counsel, fed the present
Motion to Reopen, requesting that the Cou reopen his case so he may apply fr
adjustment of status based upon a pending I-130 Petition fled by his curent spouse.
On February 10, 2012 the Goverent submitted its Opposition to the
STATEMENT OF THE LAW & ANALYSIS
The decision to gant or deny a motion to reopen is witin te discretion of the
Immigation Judge. 8 C.F.R. § 1003.23(b)(l )(iv); see INS v. Dohert, 502 U.S. 314, 322
(1992). A motion to reopen must state te new fcts that will be proven at a hearng to be
held ifthe motion is grated, and shall be supported by affdavits and other evidentiary
material. 8 C.F. R. § 1003.23(b)(3). Any motion to reopen fr the purpose of acting on
an application fr relief must be accompaied by te appropriate application and all
supporting documents. Id. Fuhermore, a motion to reopen will not be ganted uless
the Respondent establishes a prima facie case of eligibility fr te underlying relief. See
INS v. Abudu, 485 U.S. 94, 104 (1988); INS v. Dohert, 502 U.S. 314 (1992).
Here, the Respondent's counsel argues to te Court tat the Respondent is prima
facie eligible fr adjustment of status. The Cour does not agree. INA § 245(a) provides
that te Court may, in its discretion, adjust the status of an alien to that of a permanent
resident if, among oter things, the alien is admissible to the United States fr permanent
residence. The Cou noted on the record at the hearing on May 16, 2011 that the
Respondent is inadmissible under IA § 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II). The Court even advised the
Respondent and te Respondent's frmer counsel to submit evidence showing te
amount of maijuana the Respondent was convicted of possessing. If that documentation
were to show that the Respondent was convicted of possessing 30 grams or less of
maijuana, then he would be prima facie eligible fr a waiver of inadmissibility under
INA § 212(h). As such, the Court is troubled by the Respondent's counsel's statement in
the present Motion that the Respondent is admissible. Even a cursory review of te
record would indicate that the Respondent is inadmissible under IA §
212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II).
The Respondent and his counsel have yet to fle any evidence indicating that the
amount of maiuana that the Respondent was convicted of possessing was 30 grams or
less. The only evidence included in the record that indicates the amount of marijuana the
that Respondent possessed is the Inmate Intake For, which provides that the
Respondent was convicted of the possession of marijuana, less tan 2 ounces, and the
Respondent's statement to the Court that he was convicted of the possession of
maijuana, less tha two ounces.
Two ounces equals 56.699 gras. Thus, the Court has no way of telling whether
the Respondent was convicted fr possessing 30 gras or less or marijuana. The
Respondent has not demonstrated his prima facie eligibility fr a waiver under INA §
212(h). Accordingly, the Respondent remams inadmissible under INA
212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) and is statutorily ineligible to adjust his status under INA § 245(a).
Finally, te Court notes that .tis case does not present the exceptional
circumstces warranting a sua sponte reopening of the proceedings. See Matter of G-D,
22 I.& N. Dec. 1132 (B.l.A. 1999); Matter of J-J-, 21 I. & N. Dec. 976 (B.l.A. 1997)
(holding that the Court ha discretion to reopen a case sua sponte; however, that
discretion is limited to cases where exceptional circumstances are demonstated).
The Court will not reopen the Respondent's case to allow him to apply fr
adjustment of status, as he is statutorily ineligible to adjust his status.
The fllowing Order shall be entered:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Respondent's Motion to Reopen is
This � 1 day of June, 2012
United States Immigation Judge
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