Matter of Robinson, Interim Decision Number 2351

• Decision Date: 05 March 1975
• Docket Number: Interim Decision Number 2351,A-11785088
• Citation: 15 I&N Dec. 197
• Parties: MATTER OF ROBINSON In Deportation Proceedings
• Court: U.S. DOJ Board of Immigration Appeals

15 I&N Dec. 197

MATTER OF ROBINSON

In Deportation Proceedings

Interim Decision Number 2351

A-11785088

Board of Immigration Appeals.

On Appeal From the Immigration Judge's Order; Affirmed by Board March 5, 1975.

Respondent pleaded guilty to violating sections 11501 and 11500.5 of the Health and Safety Code of California, relating to the unlawful possession and sale of heroin. This guilty plea is a conviction within the meaning of section 241(a)(11) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and renders respondent deportable. This is so notwithstanding that action in the criminal proceeding was superseded prior to rendering of the final judgment in order that proceedings could be commenced against respondent under the California Involuntary Narcotic Commitment Statute (Sec. 3051, California Welfare and Institutions Code).

CHARGE:

Order: Act of 1952 — Section 241(a)(11) [8 U.S.C. 1251(a)(11)] — Convicted of a violation of law relating to narcotics.

ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT: Arthur E. Lester, Esquire 4075 Main Street Riverside, California 92501.

ORAL DECISION OF THE IMMIGRATION JUDGE

This matter was remanded by the Board of Immigration Appeals on October 5, 1973 to afford the parties an opportunity to include in the record the Order of Civil Commitment to a narcotics rehabilitation center and to bring out what the present status of the respondent's case is under the California Code. Respondent had argued that although she has entered a plea of guilty to two counts of willfully and unlawfully selling, furnishing and giving away a narcotic, to wit, heroin, in violation of Section 11501 of the Health and Safety Code of California and one count of violation of Section 11500.5 of the Health and Safety Code (possession for sale, a narcotic, to wit, heroin), she was not convicted for immigration purposes since her criminal case was suspended by the Trial Judge and proceedings were commenced under the California Involuntary Narcotic Commitment Statute, California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 3051. Respondent argued that because of the Court's action in ordering her commitment under the California Welfare Institutions Code, further criminal action in her case was suspended and she was not in the position to file an appeal from the conviction since there will be no judgment to appeal from until she is returned to the criminal Courts for final sentencing. The respondent's Counsel cited Verdugo v. Nelson, 310 F.Supp. 377 (1969) in support of his position.

In Verdugo, the petitioner was convicted and after the conviction the criminal matter was suspended for civil commitment under the California Involuntary Narcotic Commitment Statute. As pointed out by Judge Greenwald in his previous decision, a plea of guilty is a conviction within the meaning of Section 241(a)(11) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In the interest of the uniform application of the Federal Statutes, the meaning of the word convicted is a Federal question and requires a uniform application. Wills v. I.N.S., (C.A. 7,) 447 F.2d 529. At times the word "convicted" has various meanings and that "sometimes the exhaustion or waiver of appeal rights has been found necessary to the existence of a conviction," supra. In considering whether there has been a final conviction under California Health and Safety Code 11530 of an alien who was committed under California Welfare and Institutions Code 3051, the United States Court of Appeals sustained the Board of Immigration Appeals upholding a finding of deportability. Dunn-Marin vs. District Director, 426 F.2d 894, (C.A. 9, 1970). The same Circuit in Gruz-Martinez v. Immigration and Naturalization Service 404 F.2d 1198, Cert. denied. 394 U.S. 955, made the following statement,

"deportation is a function of Federal and not state law. In...