Opinion ID: 43482
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: Before reaching the merits of Gonzalez-Quintero’s petition, we must consider whether we have subject matter jurisdiction. See Farquharson v. Att’y Gen., 246 F.3d 1317, 1319 (11th Cir. 2001). “We review subject matter jurisdiction de novo.” Garcia v. Att’y Gen., 329 F.3d 1217, 1220 (11th Cir. 2003). We also review the BIA’s statutory interpretation de novo and will defer to the BIA’s interpretation if it is reasonable and does not contradict the clear intent of Congress. See Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 842-44 (1984). “We review constitutional challenges de novo.” Lonyem v. Att’y Gen., 352 F.3d 1338, 1341 (11th Cir. 2003). The transitional rules provide that “there shall be no appeal permitted in the case of an alien who is inadmissible or deportable by reason of having committed a criminal offense covered in . . . [former] section 241(a)(2)(A)(iii), (B), (C), or (D).” IIRIRA § 309(c)(4)(G). “Notwithstanding this restriction, this Court retains jurisdiction to determine whether an alien is deportable under the immigration statute.” Farquharson, 246 F.3d at 1320. Our authority to review exists only to determine whether a petitioner is “(1) an alien (2) deportable (3) by reason of a criminal offense listed in the statute.” Id.; Itani v. Ashcroft, 298 F.3d 1213, 1215 n.2 (11th Cir. 2002). If these conditions are met, then IIRIRA § 309(c)(4)(G) divests us of our jurisdiction to review the deportation order. Garcia, 329 F.3d at 3 1221. According to former INA § 241(a)(2)(A)(iii), “[a]ny alien who is convicted of an aggravated felony at any time after entry is deportable.” Furthermore, according to former INA § 241(a)(2)(B)(i), “[a]ny alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of . . . any law or regulation of . . . the United States . . . is deportable.” Because the IJ found and the BIA affirmed that Gonzalez-Quintero was deportable under both of these provisions, IIRIRA § 309(c)(4)(G) is implicated. See Itani, 298 F.3d at 1215 n.2. Despite the jurisdictional bar of § 309(c)(4)(G) , we retain jurisdiction to review “substantial constitutional questions raised by a petitioner on direct review.” Farquharson, 246 F.3d at 1322. We also retain jurisdiction over questions of law raised in a petition for review. INA § 242(a)(2)(D), 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(D) (as amended by the REAL ID Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-13, 119 Stat. 231 (2005) (“REAL ID Act”)). The administrative record supports the conclusion that Gonzalez-Quintero is “(1) an alien (2) deportable (3) by reason of a criminal offense listed in the statute.” See Farquharson, 246 F.3d at 1320. During her deportation hearing, GonzalezQuintero conceded that she was a native and citizen of Colombia. She did not challenge the IJ’s finding that she was an alien before the BIA, nor does she do so before this Court. Moreover, Gonzalez-Quintero admitted during her deportation 4 hearing – and admits before this Court – that she was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of “CDS: heroin and cocaine,” in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. As ordered by the IJ and affirmed by the BIA, this conviction was sufficient to deport Gonzalez-Quintero under either former § 241(a)(2)(A)(iii) (conviction for aggravated felony) or former § 241(a)(2)(B)(i) (conviction for violating a law of the United States). Thus, Gonzalez-Quintero is an alien deportable under either former § 241(a)(2)(A)(iii) or former § 241(a)(2)(B)(i). Gonzalez-Quintero also concedes that, because she has been convicted of an offense covered under former INA § 241(a)(2)(A)(iii), (B), (C), or (D), and is therefore an alien deportable under either former § 241(a)(2)(A)(iii) or former § 241(a)(2)(B)(i), IIRIRA § 309(c)(4)(G) limits this Court’s jurisdiction over her appeal. Accordingly, we lack jurisdiction to address the merits of her petition for review, except to the extent she raises any substantial constitutional issues or questions of law.