MATTER OF LOZADA
A-31025184
In Deportation Proceedings
Decided by Board April 13, 1988
Interim Decision #3059
BY: Milhоllan, Chairman; Dunne, Morris, Vacca, and Heilman, Board Members
(2) An alien deportable under section 241(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act,
CHARGE:
Order: Act of 1952—Sec. 241(a)(4) [
ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT:
Mark L. Galvin, Esquire
Watt & Galvin
116 Chestnut Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
ON BEHALF OF SERVICE:
John M. Furlong
General Attorney
On March 13, 1985, an immigration judge found the respondent deрortable as charged on the basis of his concessions at the hearing under section 241(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act,
On January 20, 1987, the rеspondent, through present counsel,1 filed a motion to reopen the proceedings, alleging (1) that prior counsel‘s failure to submit a written brief or statement explaining the basis for appeal constituted ineffective assistance of counsel and (2) that the immigration judge erred as a matter of law and discretion in deciding the case. The respondent also filed a petition for review of the Board‘s decision with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The court has stayed action on the petition for review pending the Board‘s resolution of the mоtion to reopen. The motion will be denied.
Any right a respondent in deportation proceedings may have to counsel is grounded in the fifth amendment guarantee of due process. Magallanes-Damian v. INS, 783 F.2d 931 (9th Cir. 1986); Paul v. INS, 521 F.2d 194 (5th Cir. 1975). Ineffеctive assistance of counsel in a deportation proceeding is a denial of due process only if the proceeding was so fundamentally unfair that the alien was preventеd from reasonably presenting his case. Ramirez-Durazo v. INS, 794 F.2d 491 (9th Cir. 1986); Lopez v. INS, 775 F.2d 1015 (9th Cir. 1985); see also Magallanes-Damian v. INS, supra (alien must show not merely ineffective assistance of counsel, but assistance which is so ineffective as to have impinged upon the fundamental fairness of the hearing in violation of the fifth amendment due process clause). One must show, moreover, that he was prejudiced by his representative‘s performance. Mohsseni Behbahani v. INS, 796 F.2d 249 (9th Cir. 1986). See generally Matter of Santos, 19 I&N Dec. 105 (BIA 1984).
The Government maintains that the fact that prior counsel did not submit a brief does not in itself amount to deprivation of due process. We agree.
A motion based upon a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel should be supported by аn affidavit of the allegedly aggrieved respondent attesting to the relevant facts. In the case before us, that affidavit should include a statement that sets forth in detail the agreement that wаs entered into with former counsel with respect to the actions to be taken on appeal and what counsel did or did not represent to the respondent in this regard. Furthermore, before allegations of ineffective assistance of former counsel are presented to the Board, former counsel must be informed of the allegations and allowed the opрortunity to respond. Any subsequent response from counsel, or report of counsel‘s failure or refusal to respond, should be submitted with the motion. Finally, if it is asserted that prior counsel‘s handling of the case involved a violation of ethical or legal responsibilities, the motion should reflect whether a complaint has been filed with appropriate disciplinary authorities regarding such representation, and if not, why not.
The high standard announced here is necessary if we are to have a basis for assessing the substantial number of claims of ineffective assistance of сounsel that come before the Board. Where essential information is lacking, it is impossible to evaluate the substance of such claim. In the instant case, for example, the respоndent has not alleged, let alone established, that former counsel ever agreed to prepare a brief on appeal or was engaged to undertake the task. Then, too, the potential for abuse is apparent where no mechanism exists for allowing former counsel, whose integrity or competence is being impugned, to present his version of events if he so chooses, thereby discouraging baseless allegations. The requirement that disciplinary authorities be notified of breaches of professional conduct not only serves to deter meritless claims of ineffective representation but also highlights the standards which should be expected of attorneys who represent persons in immigration proceedings,
The respondent‘s motion is wholly insufficient in light of the foregoing guidelines. We note, moreover, that no prejudice was shown to have resulted from prior counsel‘s failure to or decision not to file a brief in support of the appeal. The respondent received a full and fair hearing at which hе was given every opportunity to present his case. We do not find, and the respondent does not allege, any inadequacy in the quality of prior counsel‘s representation at the hearing. The immigration judge considered and properly evaluated all the evidence presented, and his conclusions that the respondent did not merit a grant of section 212(c) relief as а matter of discretion and that he was ineligible for voluntary departure as a matter of law are supported by the record.
The allegations of error ascribed to the immigration judge in the respondent‘s motion are unfounded. Contrary to present counsel‘s contention, it is clear from the transcript of hearing and the immigration judge‘s decision that the immigration judge was well awarе that the respondent committed the offense of obtaining money under false pretenses several years prior to his conviction of that offense. And contrary to counsel‘s contention, the immigration judge correctly determined that the respondent was not eligible for a grant of voluntary departure. By the express terms of section 244(e) of the Act, an alien deportable under section 241(a)(4) of the Act is ineligible for voluntary departure unless he qualifies under the provisions of section 244(a)(2) of the Act, which in the case of criminal offenders requires, inter alia, that the alien have been physically present in this country, and a person of good moral character, for a continuous period of not less than 10 years following his conviction. Seе generally Matter of P-, supra. The 10-year period is measured from the date of conviction, not the date the offense was committed, since it is the conviction, not the commission of the offense, that renders the alien deportable. Id. Since 10 years from the date of the conviction constituting the ground of deportation have not yet elapsed, the respondent is unable to demonstrate statutory eligibility for voluntary departure.
The respondent has shown no basis for reopening or reconsideration. His motion will be denied.
ORDER: The motion is denied.