Lopez-Reyes v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit
• Citation: Lopez-Reyes v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 694 F.2d 332 (5th Cir. 1982)
• Decision Date: 29 October 1982
• Docket Number: No. 82-4092,LOPEZ-REYE,P,82-4092
• Parties: Joaquinetitioner, v. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, Respondent. Summary Calendar.
• Writing for the Court: Before CLARK, Chief Judge, POLITZ and HIGGINBOTHAM; POLITZ

Page 332

694 F.2d 332

Joaquin LOPEZ-REYES, Petitioner, v. IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, Respondent.

No. 82-4092

Summary Calendar.

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit.

Oct. 29, 1982.

Lisa S. Brodyaga, Harlingen, Tex., for petitioner.

Stephen M. Weglian, Lauri Steven Filppu, Robert Kendall, Jr., Gen. Litigation and Legal Advice Section, Criminal Div., Washington, D.C., for respondent.

Petition for Review of an Order of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Before CLARK, Chief Judge, POLITZ and HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judges.

POLITZ, Circuit Judge:

At a hearing held before an immigration judge on September 22, 1981, Joaquin Lopez-Reyes was found deportable and was allowed the period of time he requested to make a voluntary departure. During the hearing, Lopez admitted all relevant facts and conceded deportability. On September 25, 1981, Lopez's newly retained counsel filed a notice of appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), complaining that the immigration judge erred in not giving Lopez 30 days to make voluntary departure "to ensure that he could obtain the necessary funds for departure," and that "other errors will be identified upon receipt of the transcript."

On October 23, 1981, the INS filed a brief in which it contended that the appeal should summarily be dismissed as frivolous and filed solely for the purpose of delay. Citing Matter of Gamboa, 14 I & N Dec. 244 (BIA 1972), the service further stated that no transcript was needed for the appeal. A copy of this brief was served on Lopez's counsel.

On January 14, 1982, the service filed a memo with the BIA in which it noted the transmittal of the record of the proceedings but, consistent with Matter of Gamboa, reiterated the district director's opinion that the appeal was frivolous and no transcript was considered necessary for the Board's disposition, thus none was being forwarded. Counsel for Lopez was not given a copy of this memorandum. No brief was filed on behalf of Lopez.

On February 5, 1982, the BIA dismissed the appeal summarily, without oral argument, pursuant to 8 C.F.R. 3.1(d)(1-a)(ii) and (iii), and Matter of Holguin, 13 I & N Dec. 423 (BIA 1969). The Board was of the opinion that the appeal appeared to have been taken solely for the purposes of delay and that Lopez was appealing a judgment which granted him the relief he requested.

At the hearing on September 23, 1981, Lopez acknowledged that he had made illegal entry into the United States, having crossed the border without inspection. He conceded his deportability and stated that the Dominican Republic was his native country. Preferring the obvious advantages of voluntary departure over deportation, Lopez represented that he could secure promptly the necessary travel funds from his family and requested nine days in which to do so.

The immigration judge granted the request for voluntary departure and set the time therefor on the date requested "or any extension beyond such date as may be granted by the district director." Lopez filed no extension request with the district director but noticed the present appeal instead.

Lopez complains of the time allowed for his voluntary departure. He has no basis for that complaint. Under section 244(e) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1254(e), the Attorney General may permit the voluntary departure of certain aliens qualifying thereunder. In order to secure the benefits of voluntary departure, it is necessary that the alien demonstrate "that he is willing and has the immediate means with which to depart promptly from the United States." 8 C.F.R. Sec. 244.1. Lopez informed the immigration judge that he could acquire quite readily, the funds needed for his voluntary travel to the Dominican Republic. The availability of the requisite funds was an essential consideration in determining whether Lopez qualified for the discretionary grant of voluntary departure.

Lopez challenges the summary procedure before the BIA, insisting that no ruling should have been made without the transcript of the hearing. Lopez misapprehends the legal effects of the situation as presented herein. It is not disputed that Lopez is subject to deportation under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1251(a)(2), because of his wrongful entry. He does not challenge this fact. The sole issue is whether the administrative treatment accorded his request for time to effect a voluntary departure passes statutory and constitutional muster. No transcript is needed for this determination, we need only look to the ruling by the immigration judge and the reasons stated for the appeal to the BIA: "The...