Opinion ID: 658245
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Arana-Moreau's Motion for a Continuance

Text: 7 First, Arana-Moreau argues that the immigration judge abused his discretion in refusing to grant his requested continuance. We disagree. 8 An immigration judge may grant a continuance in his discretion if good cause is shown. 8 C.F.R. Sec. 242.13 (1987). However, once an immigration judge refuses a requested continuance, the standard for reversal is very high: 9 [A]n immigration judge's decision denying the motion for continuance will not be reversed unless the alien establishes that that denial caused him actual prejudice and harm and materially affected the outcome of his case. Bare, unsupported allegations are insufficient; the alien must specifically articulate the particular facts involved or evidence which he would have presented, and otherwise fully explain how denial of his motion fundamentally changed the result reached. 10 In re Sibrun, 18 I & N Dec. 354, 356-57 (BIA 1983); see also In re Perez-Andrade, 19 I & N Dec. 433, 434 (BIA 1987) (A decision to deny a continuance will not be overturned on appeal unless it appears that the respondents were deprived of a full and fair hearing.). 11 Arana-Moreau failed to make the requisite showing because he never argued in what manner he was prejudiced. In fact, Arana-Moreau failed to offer anything other than his bare allegation of prejudice. Nonetheless, the BIA concluded that even had Arana-Moreau supported his claim of prejudice, his case would not merit reversal: 12 We note that a section 212(c) application has still not been submitted and the respondent has failed to articulate any of the evidence which he would have presented to establish that he merits a grant of section 212(c) relief. Therefore, the respondent has failed to satisfy the standards for reversing the immigration judge's denial of his request for a continuance. 13 Because Arana-Moreau has failed to meet the stringent requirements of Sibrun, we agree with the BIA that the immigration judge did not abuse his discretion in refusing Arana-Moreau's requested continuance.