Opinion ID: 2994876
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: As a preliminary matter, the government argues that sec. 1242(a)(2)(c) of the INA, codified at 8 U.S.C. sec. 1252(a)(2) (C), strips us of jurisdiction to hear Lara-Ruiz’ claims. That section provides: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no court shall have jurisdiction to review any final order of removal against an alien who is removable by reason of having committed a criminal offense covered in section 1182(a)(2) or 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii), (B), (C), or (D) of this title, or any offense covered by section 1227(a)(2) (A)(ii) of this title for which both predicate offenses are, without regard to their date of commission, otherwise covered by section 1227(a)(2)(A)(i) of this title. 8 U.S.C. sec. 1252(a)(2)(C). Section 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii) provides that [a]ny alien who is convicted of an aggravated felony at any time after admission is deportable. Therefore, sec. 1252(a)(2)(C) generally eliminates our jurisdiction to review any final order of deportation against an alien convicted of an aggravated felony. However, we retain jurisdiction to determine whether we have jurisdiction--that is, to determine whether an alien’s criminal conviction is indeed an aggravated felony under the INA, thereby triggering the jurisdictional bar of sec. 1252(a)(2)(C). See, e.g., Xiong v. INS, 173 F.3d 601, 604 (7th Cir. 1999); Yang v. INS, 109 F.3d 1185, 1192 (7th Cir. 1997). Moreover, in addressing a similar jurisdictional bar announced in an earlier enacted amendment to the INA, we have held that an alien may challenge his deportability on constitutional grounds directly in the courts of appeals, provided that he raises a substantial constitutional claim. See MoralesRamirez v. Reno, 209 F.3d 977, 980 (7th Cir. 2000); Singh v. Reno, 182 F.3d 504, 509 (7th Cir. 1999); LaGuerre v. Reno, 164 F.3d 1035, 1040 (7th Cir. 1998). Thus, while we honor Congress’ intent to curtail judicial review of final deportation orders for certain disfavored criminals, we have retained jurisdiction over any substantial constitutional claims raised as a safety valve to prevent bizarre miscarriages of justice. See LaGuerre, 164 F.3d at 1040. However, we have recognized that such direct review of constitutional claims is an exceptional procedure, see Singh, 182 F.3d at 510, which is available only when the alien raises substantial constitutional claims. See Moralez-Ramirez, 209 F.3d at 981. Thus, in addressing Lara-Ruiz’ appeal, we must first determine whether the BIA correctly concluded that Lara-Ruiz was an alien deportable by reason of having committed an aggravated felony. If we answer that question in the affirmative, we must then consider whether Lara-Ruiz has nevertheless raised substantial constitutional claims, and we may assert jurisdiction over Lara-Ruiz’ claims only if we find that he has./1 As both of these inquiries are jurisdictional in nature, we review them de novo. See, e.g., Solorzano-Patlan v. INS, 207 F.3d 869, 872 (7th Cir. 2000).