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Buezo v. Ashcroft

Citation: 86 F. App'x 255Docket: No. 02-74432; Agency Nos. A76-370-599, A76-370-600, A75-370-601, A76-370-602

Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; December 17, 2003; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The case involves a petition for review by a family from Guatemala, led by Carlos Roberto Martinez Buezo, against the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision. The BIA had dismissed their appeal of the Immigration Judge’s (IJ) denial of their asylum application and withholding of removal. The court, exercising jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252, reviewed the BIA's adverse credibility determination and potential due process violations. The BIA identified significant omissions in the asylum application concerning past harm, leading to the adverse credibility finding. Consequently, the petitioners did not meet the eligibility criteria for asylum or withholding of removal. The BIA also dismissed claims of due process violations related to the IJ's refusal to accept late documentation, citing regulatory requirements under 8 C.F.R. § 3.31(c) and noting a lack of demonstrated prejudice from alleged errors. The court denied the petition for review, affirming the BIA's findings. The decision was designated as unpublished and not citable except under specific rules.

Legal Issues Addressed

Adverse Credibility Determination in Asylum Applications

Application: The BIA found significant omissions in Martinez Buezo's asylum application, leading to an adverse credibility determination.

Reasoning: The BIA found significant omissions in Martinez Buezo's asylum application concerning previous harm he claimed to have faced in Guatemala, leading to an adverse credibility determination.

Citing Unpublished Decisions

Application: The court's decision is not designated for publication and cannot be cited in future cases except as allowed by specific rules.

Reasoning: The court's decision is not designated for publication and cannot be cited in future cases except as allowed by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Due Process in Immigration Proceedings

Application: The BIA rejected the argument of due process violations due to the IJ's refusal to accept late supplemental documentation.

Reasoning: Additionally, the BIA correctly rejected Martinez Buezo’s argument regarding due process violations stemming from the IJ's refusal to accept late supplemental documentation.

Eligibility Criteria for Asylum and Withholding of Removal

Application: Martinez Buezo did not meet the eligibility criteria for asylum or withholding of removal due to the lack of compelling evidence of credibility.

Reasoning: The evidence did not compel a conclusion of credibility, thus Martinez Buezo did not meet the eligibility criteria for asylum or withholding of removal.

Jurisdiction Under 8 U.S.C. § 1252

Application: The court has jurisdiction to review the BIA’s decision under 8 U.S.C. § 1252.

Reasoning: The court has jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 and reviews adverse credibility findings for substantial evidence and due process violations de novo.

Non-prejudicial Error

Application: Even assuming there was an error in denying the submission of late documents, no prejudice was shown due to changed conditions in Guatemala.

Reasoning: Even assuming there was an error, no prejudice was shown due to changed conditions in Guatemala.

Timeliness of Submission of Evidence in Immigration Court

Application: Failure to submit documents timely generally waives the right to file them, as per 8 C.F.R. § 3.31(c).

Reasoning: The failure to submit documents timely generally waives the right to file them, as per 8 C.F.R. § 3.31(c).