Opinion ID: 1199922
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: The proper standard of review in immigration proceedings depends on the nature of the decision being reviewed. See Manzo-Fontes v. INS, 53 F.3d 280, 282 (9th Cir.1995). Legal questions concerning the meaning of the immigration laws are reviewed de novo. Lagandaon v. Ashcroft, 383 F.3d 983, 987 (9th Cir.2004). The IJ's factual findings, on the other hand, are reviewed for substantial evidence. Chavez-Ramirez v. INS, 792 F.2d 932, 934-35 (9th Cir.1986). Thus the first thing this court must do is identify whether it is being asked to review a factual finding or a question of law. The only factual findings in this case are that Modesta was present in the vehicle and that she had lent her son's birth certificate to her father. The former is not contested. As to the latter, it is unclear what the IJ meant by lend. The IJ did not say Modesta physically handed the birth certificate to her father, and she insists that she did not. Critically, her offer of proof cannot be read as an admission that she handed the birth certificate to her father; all she says is that on the third time he asked her for it she reluctantly said yes. We therefore conclude that if the IJ meant that Modesta physically handed the birth certificate to her father, that finding was not based on substantial evidence. See Ahmed v. Keisler, 504 F.3d 1183, 1198 (9th Cir.2007) (noting that where there is no evidence to support a finding, it is conjecture and cannot be substituted for substantial evidence (internal quotation and citation omitted)). The question presented is therefore whether Modesta assisted in alien smuggling by reluctantly acquiescing in her father's use of her son's birth certificate. We review this purely legal question regarding the meaning of INA § 212(a)(6)(E)(i) de novo. Lagandaon, 383 F.3d at 987.