Opinion ID: 219473
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: BIA denials of motions to reopen are reviewed for abuse of discretion. Singh v. Ashcroft, 367 F.3d 1182, 1185 (9th Cir. 2004) (citing Iturribarria v. INS, 321 F.3d 889, 894 (9th Cir. 2003)). The BIA’s decision should only be disturbed upon finding that it acted “arbitrarily, irrationally, or contrary to law.” Singh v. INS, 213 F.3d 1050, 1052 (9th Cir. 2000). Reviews of purely legal questions, such as due process claims, however, are carried out de novo. Iturribarria, 321 F.3d at 894. In employing the de novo standard, this court must perform an independent review of the entirety of the record unless the BIA has reviewed the immigration 2 judge’s decision de novo, in which case, the court is limited to reviewing solely the BIA’s decision, “except to the extent that the BIA adopted the IJ's opinion.” Agyeman v. INS, 296 F.3d 871, 876 (9th Cir. 2002).