Federal Circuits, 9th Cir. (October 19, 2004)
Docket number: 03-71214
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FOR PUBLICATION
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALSFOR THE NINTH CIRCUITMARIA ANGELICA MEMBRENO,No. 03-71214PetitionerAgency No. v. A90-046-605JOHN ASHCROFT, Attorney General,OPINIONRespondent.On Petition for Review of an Order of theBoard of Immigration AppealsSubmitted October 6, 2004*San Francisco, CaliforniaFiled October 19, 2004Before: Cynthia Holcomb Hall, Melvin Brunetti, andSusan P. Graber, Circuit Judges.Per Curiam Opinion*This panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision withoutoral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2). COUNSELShan D. Potts, Berke Law Offices, Los Angeles, California, for the petitioner.Andrew C. Maclachlan, United States Department of Justice, Civil Division, Washington, D.C., for the respondent.OPINIONPER CURIAM: Maria Angelica Membreno petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeal's ("BIA") denial of her motion to reopen deportation proceedings. We DISMISS her petition for lack of jurisdiction. 8 U.S.C. §§ 1252(a)(2)(C), 1182(a)(2) (A)(i)(I).Background Maria Membreno, a native and citizen of Mexico, entered the United States as a temporary resident on June 22, 1987.On September 22, 1992, Membreno was arrested after firing four gunshots at the owner of a restaurant that competed with the restaurant owned by Membreno and her husband. Membreno pled guilty to felony assault with a firearm, in violation of California Penal Code section 245(a)(2). The court sus- pended the imposition of her sentence and granted her three years of probation, the first 180 days of which was to be served in the county jail.On April 12, 2000, Membreno was seized at the port of entry located in San Ysidro, California. The Immigration and Naturalization Service1 served Membreno with a Notice to Appear, charging that Membreno was removable under INA§ 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(I), as an alien who had committed a crime involving moral turpitude.An immigration judge ordered Membreno deported and removed to Mexico pursuant to INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I). The BIA summarily affirmed that decision. Membreno failed to appeal.Thereafter, Membreno filed a motion to reopen deportation proceedings, arguing that she was not removable because her assault charge fell within the "petty offense" exception of INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II), and could not therefore be construed as a crime involving moral turpitude. The BIA denied that motion, and Membreno timely appealed.Discussion [1] The Immigration and Nationality Act deprives a court of jurisdiction to review "any final order of removal against an alien who is removable by reason of having committed a criminal offense covered in section 1182(a)(2)." 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(C). This section also deprives a court of jurisdiction to hear appeals from decisions denying motions to reopen or reconsider such final orders. See Sarmadi v. INS,Try vLex for FREE for 3 days
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