Opinion ID: 793038
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motion to Reconsider Denial of a Waiver of Inadmissibility

Text: 24 To the extent Jean's petition for review challenges the BIA's refusal to reconsider the denial of a waiver of inadmissibility, we lack jurisdiction. As explained above, the BIA unquestionably denied Jean relief under section 1182(h) as a matter of discretion. Jean does not contend that the BIA applied the wrong standard or made an error of law in refusing to grant a waiver of inadmissibility. Jean argues only that the immigration judge drew the wrong factual conclusions from the evidence and then determined these conclusions outweighed any factors supporting a favorable exercise of discretion. In turn, Jean contends the BIA perpetuated this error by adopting the immigration judge's inaccurate view of the evidence. These are discretionary decisions, however, that we have no jurisdiction to review. 25 We realize, of course, that the merits of the underlying denial of a waiver of inadmissibility are not before us. Ordinarily, we review the BIA's decision to grant or deny a motion to reconsider for abuse of discretion. See Zhong Guang Sun v. United States Dep't of Justice, 421 F.3d 105, 107 (2d Cir.2005); cf. Stewart v. INS, 181 F.3d 587, 595 (4th Cir.1999) (applying abuse of discretion standard to review of denial of motion to reopen). And, although the decision on a motion to reconsider is itself discretionary, the jurisdictional limitations imposed by section 1252(a)(1)(B) do not preclude judicial review. See Obioha v. Gonzales, 431 F.3d 400, 2005 WL 3312762 (4th Cir. Dec.8, 2005). 26 In this case, however, the fact that we are technically reviewing the BIA's denial of the motion to reconsider certainly does not afford us jurisdiction to consider Jean's argument. When the BIA refuses to reconsider the discretionary denial of relief under one of the provisions enumerated in 1252(a)(2)(B) — a decision which is not subject to review in the first place — the court will not have jurisdiction to review that same denial merely because it is dressed as a motion to reconsider. It is important to remember that Jean is in a less favorable posture now than if she had timely sought judicial review of the BIA's original denial, which was unreviewable in any event. As the Fifth Circuit reasoned, [i]t is axiomatic that if we are divested of jurisdiction to review an original determination by the [BIA] that an alien has failed to establish that he merits a favorable exercise of discretion for a waiver of inadmissibility, we must also be divested of jurisdiction to review the [BIA]'s denial of a motion to re[consider] on the ground that the alien ... still [does not merit the favorable exercise of discretion]. Rodriguez v. Ashcroft, 253 F.3d 797, 800 (5th Cir.2001) (per curiam). Otherwise, there would exist a loophole through which we would thwart the clear intent of Congress that the courts not review the discretionary decisions of the BIA. Id. By contrast, when the BIA's denial of a motion to reconsider ha[s] the effect of affirming the BIA's previous decisions denying ... cancellation of removal ... based on statutory ineligibility,  we do not lack jurisdiction. Sepulveda v. Gonzales, 407 F.3d 59, 64 (2d Cir.2005) (emphasis added); see id. (explaining that the court of appeals has jurisdiction to review the BIA's decision on a motion to reconsider that is 'sufficiently connected' to the final order of removal based on nondiscretionary factors). 27 In this case, Jean's petition for review reasserts the same arguments she raised in her motion for reconsideration and in her appeal to the BIA: that the immigration judge drew the wrong conclusions from the evidence and the BIA, in adopting these conclusions, erroneously decided not to exercise its discretion to grant a waiver of inadmissibility. Jean's opening brief includes a heading that suggests she is seeking review of the BIA's fail[ure] to address her claims in denying the motion to reconsider. Brief of Petitioner at 10. See Casalena v. INS, 984 F.2d 105, 107 (4th Cir.1993) (explaining that the BIA must explain its decisions in terms sufficient to enable a reviewing court to perceive that it has heard and thought and not merely reacted) (internal quotation marks omitted). Jean fails to develop this argument further, however, reverting to her basic contention that the record does not support the discretionary refusal to grant relief under section 1182(h). Thus, we lack jurisdiction to review Jean's petition to the extent it challenges the refusal to reconsider the denial of a waiver of inadmissibility. 28