Opinion ID: 1197013
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Statutory Eligibility for Post-Completion Voluntary Departure

Text: Section 240B(b)(1) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1229c(b)(1), provides authority for an alien to seek post-completion voluntary departure. [3] The alien may voluntarily depart at his own expense if: (1) the alien has been physically present in the United States for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the date the notice to appear was served; (2) the alien is, and has been, a person of good moral character for at least five years immediately preceding the application for voluntary departure; (3) the alien is not deportable under 8 U.S.C. §§ 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii) or 1227(a)(4); and (4) the alien establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the alien has the means to depart the United States and intends to do so. INA §§ 240B(b)(1)(A)-(D); 8 U.S.C. §§ 1229c(b)(1)(A)-(D). The INA does not define good moral character but excludes eight categories of aliens who may not demonstrate good moral character. See INA §§ 101(f)(1)-(9); 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101(f)(1)-(9). One category includes [a] member of one or more of the classes of persons ... described in ... [8 U.S.C. §§ 1182(a)(2)(A), (B)]. INA § 101(f)(3); 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f)(3). Section 1182(a)(2)(A)(i), in turn, includes any alien convicted of, or who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of... a crime involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense) or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime.... 8 U.S.C. § 1 182(a)(2)(A)(i)(I); INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(i). Moral turpitude is not defined in the INA. Serrato-Soto does not dispute that his 2004 conviction occurred within the fiveyear period before his July 2006 application for voluntary departure. Therefore, we need only resolve the question of whether Serrato-Soto's 2004 conviction for fraudulent use of identification is a crime involving moral turpitude.