Opinion ID: 6321330
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statutory Grounds to Reopen

Text: Pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(C)(ii), an in absentia removal order 4 may be rescinded “upon a motion to reopen filed at any time if the 3 We note that neither the IJ, nor the BIA explicitly analyzed the statutory grounds of the motion to reopen. The statutory and regulatory law regarding rescission of a removal order, however, involve nearly identical language. Compare 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(C)(ii), with 8 C.F.R § 1003.23(b)(4)(ii). 4 Under 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5)(A), an alien who fails to attend a hearing after written notice has been provided to the alien or the alien’s counsel of record shall be ordered removed in absentia if the government establishes by “clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence” that the written notice was so provided and that the alien is removable. The government satisfies the notice requirement for obtaining a removal order when it gives proper notice at the most recent mailing address the alien 4 Case: 20-61029 Document: 00516229630 Page: 5 Date Filed: 03/08/2022 No. 20-61029 alien demonstrates that the alien did not receive notice in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1229(a) of this title.” Paragraph (1) of § 1229(a) requires that notice of a removal hearing be given in person, or by mail if personal service is not practicable. Id. § 1229(a)(1). The notice must specify the “time and place at which the proceedings will be held” and the “consequences under section 1229a(b)(5) of this title of the failure, except under exceptional circumstances, to appear at such proceedings.” Id. § 1229(a)(1)(G)(i)–(ii). 5 Paragraph (2) of § 1229(a) states that, in the case of any change in the time and place of removal proceedings following the original provision of notice, written notice must be given in person, or by mail if personal service is not practicable, specifying the new time or place of the proceedings and the consequences of failing to attend. 8 U.S.C. § 1229(a)(2)(A). However, paragraph (2) provides an exception: “In the case of an alien not in detention, a written notice shall not be required under this paragraph if the alien has failed to provide the address required.” Id. § 1229(a)(2)(B). The facts here are analogous to cases involving typographical errors in Notice-to-Appear addresses. In Mauricio-Benitez v. Sessions, 908 F.3d 144, provided. Id. However, no written notice is required if the alien failed to provide a current mailing address. Id. § 1229a(b)(5)(B). 5 The notice must also specify the nature of the proceedings against the alien; the legal authority under which the proceedings are conducted; the acts or conduct alleged to be in violation of law; the charges against the alien and the statutory provisions alleged to have been violated; and the alien’s right to counsel. 8 U.S.C. § 1229(a)(1)(A)–(E). Lastly, the notice must specify the alien’s obligation to immediately provide the government with a written record of an address and telephone number (if any) at which he may be contacted regarding the proceedings; the alien’s obligation to immediately apprise the government of any change in his address or telephone number; and the “consequences under section 1229a(b)(5) of this title of failure to provide address and telephone information.” Id. § 1229(a)(1)(F)(i)–(iii). 5 Case: 20-61029 Document: 00516229630 Page: 6 Date Filed: 03/08/2022 No. 20-61029 149 (5th Cir. 2018), for example, the petitioner “was personally served with a [Notice to Appear] listing a mailing address that he contends was misspelled.” We held that “he had notice of the error in his address upon receipt of the [Notice to Appear].” The same reasoning applies here. Although the record shows two addresses on immigration documents signed by the same immigration officer on the same day, Martinez-Galeas, like the petitioner in Mauricio-Benitez, was personally served with (and signed) a Notice to Appear bearing an erroneous address. Thus, he was on notice of the error. Because Martinez-Galeas “has failed to provide the address required” pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1229(a)(2)(B), the immigration court need not have provided “written notice . . . specifying the . . . new time or place of the proceedings.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229(a)(2)(A).