Opinion ID: 3065052
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Alien Smuggling Enhancement Applies when

Text: the Defendant has been Previously Convicted of Violating § 1324(a)(1)(A). [2] We begin with the text of the relevant Guideline, which provides, “If the defendant previously was deported, or unlawfully remained in the United States, after . . . an alien smuggling offense, increase [the offense level] by 16 levels.” U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(vii) (emphasis added). The commentary to the Guideline provides: “ ‘Alien smuggling offense’ has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(43)(N) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [“INA”] (8 U.S.C. [§ ] 1101(a)(43)(N)).” U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2, cmt. app. n.1(B)(i). The INA defines “alien smuggling offense” as: an offense described in paragraph (1)(A) or (2) of section 1324(a) of this title (relating to alien smuggling), except in the case of a first offense for which the alien has affirmatively shown that the alien committed the offense for the purpose of assisting, abetting, or aiding only the alien’s spouse, child, or parent (and no other individual) to violate a provision of this chapter[.] § 1101(a)(43)(N) (emphasis added). [3] We find nothing ambiguous about the plain language of the Guideline, its commentary, and the statutory definitions it incorporates by reference. The 16-level alien smuggling enhancement applies if there is a prior conviction for an offense described in § 1324(a)(1)(A) or (2). See U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(vii) & cmt. app. note 1(B)(I); § 1101(a)(43)(N). In this case, the offense (for which Guzman-Mata was previously convicted and for which the district court applied the sentencing enhancement) was a violation of § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii). Therefore, the alien smuggling enhancement applies unless Guzman-Mata can show that he 11946 UNITED STATES v. GUZMAN-MATA falls within its limited exception. That is, a prior conviction under § 1324(a)(1)(A) will qualify as an alien smuggling offense “except in the case of a first offense for which the alien has affirmatively shown that the alien committed the offense for the purpose of assisting, abetting, or aiding only the alien’s spouse, child, or parent (and no other individual) to violate a provision of this chapter[.]” See § 1101(a)(43)(N) (emphasis added)).4 At sentencing, Guzman-Mata did not argue and made no effort to show that his prior offense was a first offense that involved only members of his family.5 In fact, Guzman-Mata raised no objections regarding the district court’s adoption of the PSR and imposition of the 16-level enhancement. Given the plain language of the statute and Guzman-Mata’s failure to show the applicability of the exception, it would appear that the district court did not commit plain error in imposing the enhancement under § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(vii).