Opinion ID: 2997285
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motion to Reopen for Asylum or Withholding of

Text: Removal We first turn to Kay’s motion to reopen for consideration of his asylum and withholding of removal eligibility. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an in absentia deportation order may be rescinded if the applicant files a motion to reopen “within 180 days after the date of the order of removal if the alien demonstrates that the failure to appear was because of exceptional circumstances (as defined in subsection (e)(1)).” 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(C).6 If an applicant is not alleging exceptional circumstances or a lack of notice for his failure to appear, he must file his motion to reopen “within 90 days of the date of entry of a final administrative order of removal.” Id. at § 1229a(c)(6)(C)(i); 8 C.F.R. § 208.2(c)(3)(ii). Subsection (e)(1) defines “exceptional circumstances” as “serious illness of the alien or serious illness or death of the spouse, child, or parent of the alien, but not including less compelling circumstances beyond the control of the alien.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(e)(1) (internal parentheses omitted). We review the denial of a motion to reopen an order of removal entered in absentia for abuse of discretion, Nazarova v. INS, 171 F.3d 478, 482 (7th Cir. 1999); Ursachi v. INS, 296 F.3d 592, 594 (7th Cir. 2002), and may only examine 6 An applicant may file a motion to reopen any time upon a showing that he did not receive proper notice of the hearing. 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(C)(ii). Kay does not argue that he did not receive notice, thus that is not an issue on appeal. 10 Nos. 02-3140 & 03-2125 the validity of the notice afforded Kay, his stated reasons for failing to appear, and whether removability has been established, 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(D). Kay’s proffer to this court that he suffered from PTSD, understood little English, was pro se, and notified the court of his change of address does not support a finding of “exceptional circumstances.” Kay fails to explain how his PTSD prevented him from attending the September 9 hearing. See Ursachi, 296 F.3d at 594 (finding that illness must be documented and give details sufficient to excuse alien’s absence). Nor does Kay argue that he failed to receive or apprehend the notice afforded him. See Nazarova, 171 F.3d at 483 (immigration court may provide notice in English only). Kay’s pro se status, while significant, is alone insufficient to excuse his absence because he does not dispute that he received notice. Finally, Kay’s ignorance of the law, i.e., his mistaken belief that a Change of Address Notice would serve to change the venue of his hearing, also does not amount to an exceptional circumstance. See 8 C.F.R. § 1003.20(b) (stating an applicant must file a motion to change venue with the Immigration Court). The Immigration Court, upon receiving his Change of Address Notice, delayed his hearing but clearly stated it would be held in Chicago. Therefore, we cannot find that the BIA abused its discretion by denying Kay’s motion to reopen the proceedings for a determination of his asylum or withholding of removal eligibility.