Opinion ID: 220345
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion to transfer venue

Text: Dugboe also contends that the IJ abused his discretion by denying Dugboe's motion to transfer the venue of the removal proceedings from Detroit to Chicago. Appellate courts review the denial of a venue-transfer motion under the abuse-of-discretion standard. Monter v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 546, 558 (2d Cir.2005). An IJ may grant a venue-transfer motion for good cause. 8 C.F.R. § 1003.20(b). Good cause is determined by balancing such factors as administrative convenience, the alien's residence, the location of witnesses, evidence and counsel, expeditious treatment of the case, and the cost of transporting witnesses and evidence to a new location. Monter, 430 F.3d at 559 (internal quotation marks omitted). And even if the IJ is found to have abused his or her discretion in denying the venue-transfer motion, the alien is still not entitled to a remand unless prejudice is shown. Id. To establish prejudice, the alien must show that the denial of the venue change affected either the outcome or the overall fairness of the proceeding. Id. (internal quotation marks and ellipses omitted). The IJ in the present case did not abuse his discretion by denying Dugboe's venue-transfer motion. Although Dugboe had already confessed to the immigration authorities that he had sought to reenter the United States at Port Huron, Michigan by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, Dugboe would not admit to the factual allegations and charges against him at the hearing. The government thus had to call Inspector Cozza, who was based in the Detroit area, to substantiate the charges. Dugboe would have understandably preferred to have the proceedings take place in Chicago where he lived, but his intransigence created a situation where the government had an equally compelling basis to pursue his removal in Detroit. His offer to allow the agents to testify telephonically did not tip the scales in Dugboe's favor because the government may generally prove its case in the way it thinks best, and having witnesses testify in person is arguably more persuasive than having them testify telephonically. Moreover, even if the IJ were found to have abused his discretion, Dugboe has failed to establish prejudice. Dugboe, his wife, and his attorney were all able to appear in Detroit for the proceedings. And he has not shownas he mustthat the denial of the venue change affected either the outcome or the overall fairness of the proceeding. See id. Dugboe instead argues that having the proceedings in Detroit was hard on him and his family. But this inconvenience had nothing to do with the outcome or fairness of the proceedings and thus does not suffice to show prejudice.