Opinion ID: 535200
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: analysis

Text: 21 Appellant contends that the judge at his deportation hearing violated the statutory and regulatory requirement of informing him of his option to obtain an attorney. 22 No right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment is recognized in deportation proceedings. Ramirez v. INS, 550 F.2d 560, 563 (9th Cir.1977). But where the courts declined to see a constitutional remedy, Congress saw a dictate of humanity. Congress has enacted a statute whose heading reads 'Right to Counsel.' The statute provides in mandatory language that in any deportation proceedings and in any appeal proceedings the person concerned 'shall have the privilege of being represented (at no expense to the Government) by such counsel, authorized to practice in such proceedings, as he shall choose.' 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1362. The legislative history of this provision confirms that Congress wanted to confer a right. See H.R.Rep. No. 1365, 82d Cong., 2d Sess. 57, reprinted in 1952 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1653, 1712. Failure to accord an alien this right may, in the light of the entire administrative record, be an abuse of discretion, requiring remand. Castro-Nuno v. INS, 577 F.2d 577, 578-79 (9th Cir.1978). 23 Castro-O'Ryan v. INS, 821 F.2d 1415, 1419 (9th Cir.1987). The relevant regulation states: 24 The Immigration Judge shall advise the respondent of his right to representation, at no expense to the Government, by counsel of his own choice authorized to practice in the proceedings and require him to state then and there whether he desires representation; advise the respondent of the availability of free legal services programs qualified under part 292a of this chapter and organized pursuant to Section 292.2 of this chapter.... 25 8 C.F.R. Sec. 242.16 (emphasis added). 26 While it appears that Rubio had received notice that he had a right to counsel at his deportation hearing, it is not clear that he made a knowing, intelligent waiver of that right. In a similar case, Partible v. INS, 600 F.2d 1094 (5th Cir.1979), the petitioner was informed of her statutory right to counsel, and nevertheless elected to proceed unassisted. The Fifth Circuit held that her waiver was not competently and understandably made because the immigration judge did not explain to her the complexity of her dilemma, nor the legal basis for any argument that could have been made on her behalf. Id. at 1096 (followed in Castro-Ryan v. INS, 821 F.2d 1415 (9th Cir.1987)).