Opinion ID: 788299
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The BIA's Affirmance Without Opinion

Text: 26 In this case, the BIA issued an Affirmance Without Opinion (AWO), a decision by a single board member affirming the IJ's decision on the merits. According to the BIA's regulations, such a determination constitutes the final agency determination. 8 C.F.R. § 3.1(a)(7) (2002), codified as amended at 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(e)(4) (2004). Hassan challenges the use of the AWO method, arguing that his case does not satisfy the criteria set forth for utilization of the procedure. However, we have consistently ruled that the BIA's decision to use the AWO procedure is unreviewable. See Ngure, 367 F.3d at 983, 985, 988; Dominguez v. Ashcroft, 336 F.3d 678, 680 (8th Cir.2003). Although this Court has remanded and required that the immigration authority provide a comprehensible reason for its decision, Paramasamy v. Ashcroft, 295 F.3d 1047, 1050-51 (9th Cir.2002), such a requirement only exists when the IJ's decision, adopted by the BIA, contains no reason for its decision. See id. (noting the IJ's use of boilerplate demeanor findings cannot provide an adequate basis for review). In this case, we have found that the IJ did support her decision, and the record gave an adequate basis for review. The BIA's choice to use the streamlined, AWO procedure is unreviewable, and Hassan's challenge to it is denied. 27 Hassan also challenges the streamlined procedure on due process grounds, simply stating [d]espite court decisions approving the use of the AWO process generally, due process requires administrative review. Pet. Br. at 27. Contrary to Hassan's claim, due process does not require administrative appellate review, and the BIA's AWO procedure does not violate due process. Hasalla v. Ashcroft, 367 F.3d 799, 803-04 (8th Cir.2004), reh'g and reh'g en banc denied (July 30, 2004); Ngure, 367 F.3d at 980; Loulou v. Ashcroft, 354 F.3d 706, 708-09 (8th Cir. 2003), as amended by No. 02-3004, slip. op. (8th Cir. Apr. 28, 2004). Hassan's appeal based on the AWO procedure is also denied.