Opinion ID: 6317301
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: DHS's Appeal

Text: Unhappy with the IJ's decision, DHS appealed to the BIA. In its final decision, the BIA noted that it reviewed discretionary calls de novo and factual findings for clear error. It then pronounced its disagreement with the IJ's determination that the positive equities outweighed the negatives. After recognizing the same positive equities the IJ considered, the BIA took a deep dive into the adverse factors. The BIA began by rehearsing the documented history of predatory and criminal behavior towards women and adolescent girls. According to the BIA, the IJ erroneously found that . . . there was no evidence that [Adeyanju] had engaged in similar behavior since 2016. Instead, the BIA observed, the record reflects that [Adeyanju]'s behavior may have instead escalated, referring to his pending charges for kidnapping and sexual assault. The BIA also stated that the IJ - 14 - failed to mention [Adeyanju] lied to the police to avoid responsibility, and instead [the IJ] focused on the fact that [he] eventually admitted that he had sex with the victim. The BIA concluded that, even though Adeyanju hadn't been convicted of any crimes, it could still consider the fact that he lied to the police and that Adeyanju's dishonesty regarding his conduct is indicative of bad character and is a serious negative factor. The BIA also regarded as an additional negative factor the indicia of past immigration fraud. The BIA stated that Adeyanju inaccurately claimed that he was engaged to a woman in Nigeria on his visa application. The BIA further recounted the history with his first wife, Raymond, and noted that the IJ found the evidence of marriage fraud was inconclusive. Weighing these negative factors against the positive ones, the BIA concluded that Adeyanju failed to show that he merited adjustment of status. The BIA thus sustained the appeal and ordered Adeyanju removed. At the same time, it acknowledged Adeyanju had a pending I-751 waiver but said nothing else about it. Adeyanju petitioned for our review.