Opinion ID: 780777
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ibarra-Galindo

Text: 8 U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 governs the sentences of those who have entered or remained in the United States unlawfully, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). The base offense level for this crime is eight. U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(a). For those defendants who were previously deported after a criminal conviction, however, various sentencing enhancements apply. U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b). Before the amendments to U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 took effect in November 2001, the guideline imposed a 16-level enhancement if the conviction was for an aggravated felony. U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A) (2000). 1 9 In Ibarra-Galindo, we held that simple drug possession could qualify as an aggravated felony meriting a 16-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A). 206 F.3d at 1339. We reasoned as follows: 10 Application note 1 to U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 provides that the term `[a]ggravated felony is defined at 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43).' Id. (quoting U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2, cmt. n. 1). In turn, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(B) defines aggravated felony as `illicit trafficking in a controlled substance ... including a drug trafficking crime (as defined in section 924(c) of Title 18).' Id. According to 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(2), drug trafficking crime `means any felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).' Id. Finally, 21 U.S.C. § 802(13), the relevant provision of the Controlled Substances Act, states that a felony is `any Federal or State offense classified by applicable Federal or State law as a felony.' Id. Because the defendant's drug-possession offense was classified as a felony under state law, it was an aggravated felony for purposes of U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A). Id. 11 Defendant concedes that his offense is a felony within the meaning of the Controlled Substances Act and that it was classified as a felony under Arizona law. Thus, he concedes that, if Ibarra-Galindo remains good law, he would be subject to an aggravated-felony sentencing enhancement on account of his prior conviction. However, Defendant argues that the Ibarra-Galindo framework is no longer the proper one to apply in cases in which the defendant has been convicted of a simple drug-possession offense. He bases his argument on amendments to U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2 that took effect on November 1, 2001, the issue to which we now turn.