Matter of Tomas

• Decision Date: 06 August 1987
• Docket Number: Interim Decision Number 3032,A-24345525.,A-24345526,A-24345527.,A-24345529.,A-24344066,A-24345528
• Citation: 19 I&N Dec. 464
• Parties: MATTER OF TOMAS In Deportation Proceedings
• Court: U.S. DOJ Board of Immigration Appeals

19 I&N Dec. 464

MATTER OF TOMAS

In Deportation Proceedings

Interim Decision Number 3032

A-24344066

A-24345525.

A-24345526

A-24345527.

A-24345528

A-24345529.

Board of Immigration Appeals.

Decided by Board August 6, 1987.

(1) The respondents, who have the burden of showing a well-founded fear of persecution to qualify for asylum or withholding of deportation, must be given a reasonable opportunity to present evidence on their own behalf, including their testimony.

(2) Where the respondents cannot speak English fluently, the presence of a competent interpreter is essential for their meaningful participation in certain phases of the hearing and to insure the fundamental fairness of the proceedings.

(3) A remand is ordered by the Board of Immigration Appeals for the purpose of conducting a new hearing and obtaining the services of a professional interpreter fluent in the Kanjobal language of Guatemala where the respondents, who spoke no English and little or no Spanish, could not adequately present their case through a Spanish interpreter.

CHARGE: Order: Act of 1952—Sec. 241(a)(2) [8 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(2)]—Entered without inspection (all respondents)

ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENTS: Susan Giersbach Rascon, Esquire Central American Refugee Program 6802 South 24th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85040.

ON BEHALF OF SERVICE: J. Bert Vargas General Attorney.

BY: Milhollan, Chairman; Dunne, Morris, Vacca, and Heilman, Board Members

The respondents appeal from a decision of an immigration judge dated August 16, 1984, finding them deportable under section 241(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(2) (1982). The immigration judge denied the respondents' applications for asylum and for withholding of deportation under sections 208 and 243(h) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1158 and 1253(h) (1982). The Immigration and Naturalization Service requested that the appeal be summarily dismissed. The record will be remanded.

The respondents are a 39-year-old male native and citizen of Guatemala, his wife, and his children, all natives and citizens of Guatemala. Hearings were held May 2, and June 10, 1983, and August 16, 1984. At the first hearing the respondents were given a continuance to obtain an attorney. Subsequently, the immigration judge denied the request for a Kanjobal interpreter and found the respondents deportable and denied their applications for withholding of deportation and for asylum, because the immigration judge found they had failed to show that they would be in danger of harm in Guatemala.

During the hearing the respondents stated repeatedly that they were unable to communicate fully with the interpreter who spoke Spanish. The respondents are native speakers of Kanjobal. The immigration judge determined that the respondents could sufficiently present their case in Spanish with the help of the 15-year-old daughter who spoke Kanjobal and Spanish.

Because the respondents have the burden of showing a well-founded fear of persecution to qualify for asylum or withholding of deportation, they must be given a...