Opinion ID: 2995112
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Gomez-Vela

Text: Gomez-Vela, a citizen of Mexico, was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident in November 1971. In June 1997, Gomez-Vela was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). Because he had two previous drunk driving convictions, he was charged with aggravated driving under the influence. See 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-501(d)(1) (1997)./3 Gomez-Vela pleaded guilty and was sentenced to twenty-six months in prison. The INS commenced removal proceedings against Gomez-Vela on March 2, 1999 by issuing a NTA. The NTA alleged that Gomez-Vela was removable because he was guilty of an aggravated felony under 8 U.S.C. sec. 1101(a)(43)(F). At his hearing before the IJ, Gomez-Vela admitted that he had been convicted for aggravated driving under the influence and sentenced to twenty-six months imprisonment. The IJ found that aggravated driving under the influence is a crime of violence as defined in 18 U.S.C. sec. 16(b), and therefore is an aggravated felony. On that basis, the IJ ordered Gomez-Vela removed. Gomez-Vela appealed the IJ’s determination that he was guilty of an aggravated felony to the BIA, but the BIA dismissed his appeal on October 22, 1999. Petitioners Bazan-Reyes, Maciasowicz, and Gomez-Vela all filed timely petitions for review of the INS and BIA decisions finding them removable. On appeal, petitioners argue that the INS and the BIA erred in their determination that Bazan-Reyes and Gomez-Vela’s prior convictions for DWI and Maciasowicz’s conviction for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle are aggravated felonies rendering them removable under 8 U.S.C. sec.1227(a)(2)(A)(iii).