Case Name: Concepcion Gonzalez-De MENDOZA, Petitioner v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS, III, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2017-08-08
Citations: 694 F. App'x 351
Docket Number: No. 16-60416 Summary Calendar
Parties: Concepcion Gonzalez-De MENDOZA, Petitioner v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS, III, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent
Judges: Before JONES, SMITH, and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 694
Pages: 351–352

Head Matter:
Concepcion Gonzalez-De MENDOZA, Petitioner v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS, III, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent
No. 16-60416 Summary Calendar
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Filed August 8, 2017
Felipe D. J. Millan, El Paso, TX, for Petitioner
Patricia Elia Bruckner, Trial Attorney, Bernard Arthur Joseph, Office of Immigration Litigation, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, DC, for Respondent
Before JONES, SMITH, and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM:
Concepcion Gonzalez-De Mendoza, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision affirming the immigration judge's (IJ) denial of her January 2015 motion to reopen her removal proceedings and to rescind her removal order entered in absentia in October 1994. An immigration court's denial of a motion to reopen is reviewed "under a highly deferential abuse-of-discretion standard". Gomez-Palacios v. Holder, 560 F.3d 354, 358 (5th Cir. 2009). The factual findings are reviewed for substantial evidence. Ojeda-Calderon v. Holder, 726 F.3d 669, 672-73 (5th Cir. 2013); Lopez-Dubon v. Holder, 609 F.3d 642, 645 (5th Cir. 2010).
Gonzalez contends the BIA abused its discretion in denying her motion to reopen and rescind her in absentia deportation order by finding the hearing notice was personally served. She contends the BIA ignored an absence of indication that she actually received notice of the rescheduled hearing on 31 October 1^94. Gonzalez also contends the BIA abused its discretion by ignoring that she did not receive notice of the hearing by certified mail. She further asserts the BIA abused its discretion by failing to consider the factors outlined in Matter of M-R-A-,24 I. & N. Dec. 665, 674 (BIA 2008).
Under the rules applicable to immigration cases commenced prior to 30 September 1996, in absentia deportation orders may be rescinded only if the alien files a motion to reopen within 180 days after the date of the order of deportation, showing exceptional circumstances for her failure to appear, or at any time files a motion to reopen demonstrating that she did not receive notice of the hearing. 8 U.S.C. § 1252b(c)(3) (West 1993) (repealed 30 Sept. 1996); see also Ojeda-Calderon, 726 F.3d at 673 ("Because Ojeda's immigration proceedings were initiated prior to the 1996 amendments to the INA, we must apply the notice requirements set forth in former INA § 242B."). Notice may be by personal service or certified mail. 8 U.S.C. § 1252b(a)(2)(A) (West 1993) (repealed) (requiring the INS to provide written notice of the deportation hearing "in person to the alien (or, if personal service is not practicable, written notice shall be given by certified mail to the alien or to the alien's counsel of record, if any)"); Ojeda-Calderon, 726 F.3d at 673.
For a motion to reopen, we focus on whether the alien actually received the required notice. Ojeda-Calderon, 726 F.3d at 673. The alien bears the burden to demonstrate she did not receive notice. 8 U.S.C. § 1252b(c)(3) (West 1993); Ojeda-Calderon, 726 F.3d at 673.
The IJ and the BIA determined Gonzalez was personally served with the notice of hearing when she appeared in immigration court on 28 September 1994, based on the notice in the record on which the clerk noted personal service. The IJ noted Gonzalez had not contended she was not personally served with this hearing notice. The BIA presumed the clerk who noted Gonzalez was personally served on 28 September properly discharged his duties. Substantial evidence in the record supports the finding that Gonzalez was personally served with the notice of hearing. See Lopez-Dubon, 609 F.3d at 647. Accordingly, the BIA did not abuse its discretion in affirming the IJ's denial of her motion to reopen and dismissing her appeal. See Gomez-Palacios, 560 F.3d at 358, 361.
Gonzalez' reliance on M-R-A- is mistaken. In M-R-A-, the BIA sustained the alien's appeal, finding the alien had overcome the "weak" presumption that he had received a notice of hearing sent to him by regular mail. 24 I. & N. Dec. at 676. Needless to say, because substantial evidence supports the BIA's finding Gonzalez was personally served with notice informing her of the 31 October 1994 hearing, M-RA- and its discussion of what evidence can be used to overcome the presumption of delivery by regular mail does not apply.
DENIED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47,5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.