Melesio-Rodriguez v. Sessions

Melesio‐Rodriguez was brought to the U.S. from Mexico as a child. She became a lawful permanent resident in 1998, at age 19. She was convicted of battery and attempted possession of cocaine in 2003 and of attempted burglary in 2013. DHS charged her as removable under 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)(B)(i)) and alleged that she had failed to disclose a cocaine‐possession conviction that occurred before she was granted permanent resident status. An immigration judge found Melesio‐Rodriguez removeable. She told the judge she did not wish to apply for protection but expressed interest in applying for a U‐visa, for which she was potentially eligible as a victim of domestic violence. The judge stated that only USCIS had jurisdiction over U‐ visas and that he would order removal. Melesio‐Rodriguez said she understood “really clearly” and confirmed twice that she wished to accept the order as final rather than reserve an appeal. Melesio‐Rodriguez then retained counsel and unsuccessfully moved for reconsideration, arguing that the IJ had not fully apprised her of her rights; one of her convictions was not a “conviction” for immigration purposes; she was eligible for a U‐visa; she feared torture in Mexico; and the removal proceedings violated the Fifth and Eighth Amendments. The Seventh Circuit dismissed her petition for review. Melesio‐Rodriguez is a criminal alien and the question of her waiver of appeal is factual in nature, so the court lacked jurisdiction, 8 U.S.C. 1252(a)(2)(C). View "Melesio-Rodriguez v. Sessions" on Justia Law