Opinion ID: 787177
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Preparation of the case

Text: 68 The BIA notes counsel's uncorroborated assertion that she relied heavily on conversations with Zhong, Lin's New York relative, wherein she informed him of the need for documentary evidence, and that she had several phone conversations with Lin. It does not adopt these as findings, nor does it find that the content of any conversations with Lin were about the substance of the case as opposed to prodding Zhong to finalize arrangements to retain her. The BIA makes no finding that counsel's preparation for the hearing extended beyond these conversations of unknown content. The balance of the record offers little evidence that she engaged in more than a perfunctory review of the facts of the case prior to the hearing. Counsel never collected available material testimony and documentary evidence, and never presented to the IJ the basics of his claim: that Zheng was forcibly sterilized, 6 the significance of the large fine, 7 that government persecution forced him to hide and drop out of school, and a legal argument that Lin qualified as a refugee on account of a protected status. 69 Counsel's unreasonable failure to investigate and present the factual and legal basis of Lin's asylum claim would itself amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. Cf. Escobar-Grijalva v. INS, 206 F.3d 1331, 1335 (9th Cir.2000) (holding that attorney who was unprepared to argue and unknowledgeable about the facts of an asylum case could not have provided effective assistance of counsel), amended on other grounds by 213 F.3d 1221 (9th Cir.2000). If counsel was unprepared to present Lin's claim, she should have sought to withdraw as counsel, even as late as the date of the hearing. Lin's right to a full and fair presentation of his claim included the right to have an attorney who would present a viable legal argument on his behalf supported by relevant evidence, if he could find one willing and able to do so. See 8 U.S.C. § 1362 (recognizing right to privately retained counsel); Rios-Berrios v. INS, 776 F.2d 859, 863 (9th Cir.1985) (granting relief because petitioner's asylum case will be more advantageously presented by retained counsel). Zhong indisputably tried to arrange such representation on Lin's behalf. Prior counsel's pretense that she would offer such representation denied Lin the opportunity to seek an attorney who would research, investigate, and present his legal claim, and thus denied him due process. 70 The above principles apply to all asylum claims, but our concern about their proper implementation is intensified when the petitioner is a minor. Indeed, the right of minors to competent counsel is so compelling that we have joined other circuits in holding that a guardian or parent cannot bring a lawsuit on behalf of a minor in federal court without retaining a lawyer. Johns v. County of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir.1997). In Johns, we joined the Second and Third circuits in endorsing the holding of Meeker v. Kercher, 782 F.2d 153, 154 (10th Cir.1986) (per curiam). We explained: 71 The choice to appear pro se is not a true choice for minors who under state law, see Fed.R.Civ.P. 1(b), cannot determine their own legal actions. There is thus no individual choice to proceed pro se for courts to respect, and the sole policy at stake concerns the exclusion of non-licensed persons to appear as attorneys on behalf of others. 72 It goes without saying that it is not in the interest of minors or incompetents that they be represented by non-attorneys. Where they have claims that require adjudication, they are entitled to trained legal assistance so their rights may be fully protected. 73 Johns, 114 F.3d at 876-77 (citations omitted).