Opinion ID: 3021770
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The BIA’s Denial of the Motion: On February 23,

Text: 2004, the BIA disposed of Filja’s motion to reopen and the record offered in its support. It noted that the motion was received on October 9, 2003 and held it was untimely because it was not filed within 90 days of the BIA’s March 19, 2002 opinion, the final administrative order in his case, citing 8 C.F.R. §1003.2(c). The BIA rejected Filja’s argument that he came within the exception to the 90-day rule because there had been changes in conditions in Albania, stating, “we note that the asserted changes, including the election of Socialist Party members to the government, occurred prior to our decision in March 2002, and as such, this evidence even if deemed material was available and could have been discovered or presented at that time. See 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(c)(3)(ii).” The BIA rejected Filja’s argument that the time limitation for the filing of the motion should be tolled because he was deprived of due process as a consequence of ineffective assistance of his former counsel. The BIA stated that “while the respondent appears to have complied with requirements set forth in Matter of Lozada, 19 I. & N. Dec. 637 (BIA 1988) he has failed to demonstrate that his former counsel’s performance was so inadequate that it prejudiced the outcome of proceedings.”3 3 In Matter of Lozada, 19 I. & N. Dec. 637, 1988 WL 235454 (BIA 1988), aff’d, 857 F.2d 10 (1st Cir. 1988), the BIA laid out a three-step procedure for establishing “egregious” ineffective assistance that would justify reopening: i) the petitioner must submit an affidavit setting forth the agreement 15 The BIA set forth the legal principles governing relief under the CAT and held that Filja failed to demonstrate prima facie eligibility for its protection because “[t]he evidence of record fails to indicate that it is more likely than not that respondent will face torture upon his return to Albania,” and, further, “his arguments, in substantial part, consist of the same arguments previously presented in support of his applications for asylum and withholding of deportation which were denied both by the Immigration Judge and by the Board.” On March 22, 2004, Filja filed with the BIA a motion to reconsider and/or request for en banc review. The BIA denied the motion to reconsider. The Filjas now petition for review of the BIA’s February 23, 2004 order denying Filja’s motion to reopen. with prior counsel with respect to the actions to be taken and what counsel did or did not represent to the petitioner in this regard; ii) before allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel are presented to the BIA, former counsel must be informed of the allegations and given an opportunity to respond; iii) if it is asserted that prior counsel’s handling of the case involved a violation of ethical or legal responsibilities, petitioner’s motion should reflect whether a complaint has been filed with appropriate disciplinary authorities, and, if not, why not. We, like most Courts of Appeal, have given general approval to the Lozada approach to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. See, Lu v. Ashcroft, 259 F.3d 127 (3d Cir. 2001). 16