Opinion ID: 2978777
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Petitioner’s Convictions were for CIMT

Text: The dispositive question in this case is whether the petitioner’s crimes necessarily involved moral turpitude, and therefore properly serve as the basis for his removability. The exact definition of “‘moral turpitude’ . . . has never been fully settled,” but it “refers generally to conduct that is inherently base, vile, or depraved, and contrary to the accepted rules of morality and the duties owed between persons or to society in general.” Singh v. Holder, 321 F. App’x 473, 477 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting Matter of Torres-Varela, 23 I. & N. Dec. 78, 83 (BIA 2001). “Moral turpitude has been defined as an act which is per se morally reprehensible and intrinsically wrong or malum in se, so it is the nature of the act itself and not the statutory prohibition of it which renders a crime one of moral turpitude.” See Matter of Ajami, 22 I. & N. Dec. 949, 950 (BIA 1999). “Among the tests to determine if a crime involves moral turpitude is whether the act is accompanied by a vicious motive or a corrupt mind.” Id. Any crime which involves intent to defraud as one of its elements is a CIMT. Squires v. I.N.S., 689 F.2d 1276, 1278 n. 3 (6th Cir. 1982). In ascertaining whether a crime is a CIMT, we must first examine the statute itself to determine whether the inherent nature of the crime involves moral turpitude. If the statute defines a crime in which moral turpitude necessarily inheres, then the conviction is for a crime involving moral turpitude for immigration purposes, and our analysis ends. However, if the statute contains some offenses which involve moral turpitude and others which do not, it is to be treated as a “divisible” statute, and we look to the record of conviction, meaning the indictment, plea, verdict, and sentence, to determine the offense of which the respondent was convicted. See Ajami, 22 I. & N. Dec. at 950 (citations omitted); see also Jaadan v. Gonzales, 211 F. App’x 422, 426-27 (6th Cir. 2006). Petitioner was convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1001. Section 1001 criminalizes making a false statement to a government agency, and section 371 criminalizes conspiracy to make a false statement. Section 371 provided in relevant part: No. 08-3927 Kellermann v. Holder Page 6 If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined not more that $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.