Opinion ID: 198722
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Challenge to Finding of Deportability

Text: 24 Other than his due process claim, the petitioner has come forward with no other challenge to the BIA's finding that his marriage was entered into to procure immigration benefits. He has not presented evidence that would compel a finding that the petitioner had a bona fide marriage, or would even suggest that the BIA's finding that the marriage was entered into for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits is unreasonable. Instead, the petitioner relies heavily on his contention that the District Director and the IJ never made affirmative findings of marriage fraud, and therefore the BIA, in its failure to independently review the record, mistakenly concluded that there was a host of evidence showing that the petitioner had violated immigration laws. Although deference is due to the BIA, see Meguenine v. INS, 139 F.3d 25, 27-28 (1st Cir. 1998), the petitioner claims that this is a case where the BIA's inferences and presumptions are not reasonably grounded in the record viewed as a whole. See Gallius v. INS, 147 F.3d 34, 43-44 (1st Cir. 1998). 25 There is no dispute that we have jurisdiction to review the BIA's affirmance of the IJ's decision to deny Mendes's petition to remove conditional status. It is not within the purview of § 309(c)(4)(E). We review findings of fact and credibility by the BIA under a deferential 'substantial evidence' standard. Alvarez-Flores v. INS, 909 F.2d 1, 3 (1st Cir. 1990); see also INS v. Elas-Zacaras, 502 U.S. 478, 481 (1992); Meguenine, 139 F.3d at 27-28; Khalaf v. INS, 909 F.2d 589, 591 (1st Cir. 1990); Novoa-Umania v. INS, 896 F.2d 1, 2 (1st Cir. 1990). The BIA's affirmance of the IJ's findings must be upheld if 'supported by reasonable, substantial and probative evidence on the record considered as a whole.' Elas-Zacaras, 502 U.S. at 481, 112 S.Ct. 812 (citing 8 U.S.C. § 1105(a)(4)). 26 We find ample evidence to support the BIA's finding of marriage fraud, including but not limited to the inconsistencies between Mendes's testimony and the documents that he submitted in support of his joint petition, as well as the adverse credibility finding of the IJ. Mendes is unable to sustain his high burden under Elas-Zacaras of presenting evidence that is so compelling that no reasonable fact finder could fail to find that he had a bona fide marriage. Id. at 483-84. To the contrary, based on the petitioner's record of lying before the IJ, filing false documents before the INS, filing tax returns listing his child as a dependent when all the evidence suggests otherwise, and entering into a previous questionable marriage, we conclude that any reasonable fact finder would determine on this record that the petitioner had married Duarte for the purpose of procuring immigration benefits. See Meguenine, 139 F.3d at 28. 27 If there is any error in this record, it lies in the immigration authority's laxity in repeatedly admitting Mendes into this country without appropriate investigation. This lapse enabled this Lothario to father three U.S. citizen children, all of whom will be deprived his support, both financial and moral, in years to come. 28 We affirm the decision of the BIA that the petitioner is deportable. The Petition for Review is dismissed.