Opinion ID: 3050108
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: The Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) ordinarily divests the courts of appeals of jurisdiction to review any “final order of removal” against an alien who is removable for having committed a controlled substance offense. 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(C). The court retains jurisdiction, however, to consider whether the jurisdictional bar applies. LujanArmendariz v. INS, 222 F.3d 728, 734 (9th Cir. 2000). Moreover, the Act states that “[n]othing [herein] . . . which limits or eliminates judicial review shall be construed as precluding review of constitutional claims or questions of law raised upon a petition for review.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(D). Here, Petitioner raises a colorable question of law: whether his 1999 controlled substance conviction precludes him from seeking an adjustment of status even though it was expunged pursuant to section 1203.4 of the California Penal Code. In such cases, the jurisdictional inquiry collapses into the merits, and so we may determine whether the expungement means MELENDEZ v. GONZALES 12661 Petitioner has not been “convicted” of a controlled substance violation for purposes of the immigration laws. Chavez-Perez v. Ashcroft, 386 F.3d 1284, 1286-87 (9th Cir. 2004).1 IV.