Court Opinion

ID: 9476262
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 05:51:26.026943+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:45:12.897280
License: Public Domain

STAPLETON, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
As I read the Secretary’s decision, Laurie Ann Benton was found not to be “voluntarily living in the State of New York for the purpose of making the State her home” because (1) she had not made a decision to move there (i.e. her presence in New York was the result of her parents’ decision to place her in a sheltered community in the state), (2) she could not make a decision to leave New York (i.e. she would remain there unless and until her parents decided that she should move from that state), and (3) she was unable to comprehend the concept of establishing a home (i.e. of committing to remain in her current environment indefinitely). Nothing said in the Secretary’s decision is inconsistent with the conceded fact that Ms. Benton is able to experience pleasure and displeasure from her environment and to communicate those experiences.
Giving deference, as I do, to the Secretary’s construction of the applicable legal standard, and finding, as I do, that his decision is supported by substantial evidence, I would affirm.