Opinion ID: 1292310
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: We provide only those facts pertinent to the issues under review. After removal proceedings were initiated against Mr. Thongphilack, the IJ held an advisement hearing on March 3, 2005. During the hearing, the IJ noticed that Mr. Thongphilack had a change-of-address form. The IJ told him to complete the form and submit it to the immigration court, noting that the law required him to inform the court of his new address within five days of any address change. [1] The IJ then orally informed Mr. Thongphilack that his removal hearing was scheduled for July 14, 2005. The agency sent a written notice of the hearing to Mr. Thongphilack at his address on file in West Valley City, Utah. The IJ held Mr. Thongphilack's removal hearing on July 14, 2005. He did not appear, so the IJ entered an in absentia removal order. Almost five months later, Mr. Thongphilack, through counsel, filed a motion to reopen supported by his affidavit claiming that he did not receive the notice of the July 2005 hearing at his new address in Ogden, Utah. He asserted that he prepared a change-of-address form in April 2005 and gave it to a friend to mail for him. He also alleged that he orally informed the IJ at the March 2005 advisement hearing of his new address. Respondent concedes that the notice was not sent to the Ogden address. The IJ determined that the hearing notice was sent to Mr. Thongphilack's address of record, that he had failed to file the necessary change-of-address form or otherwise provide his new address in a timely manner, and that he had actual notice of the hearing date. Accordingly, the IJ denied the motion to reopen. The BIA affirmed without opinion.