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Federal Judicial Review

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996included restrictions on federal judicial review of deportation, exclusion and removal cases. Former INA § 106, passed in 1961 by the United States Congress, had provided the basis for judicial review of immigration matters until its elimination by IIRIRA which replaced it with INA § 242, (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252).

After the passage of IIRIRA, different procedures were created for judicial review of removal orders, including exclusion or deportation orders, and for immigration decisions generally. Decisions regarding judicial review of removal orders are now subject to INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252). Review of immigration decisions outside of removal proceedings are governed by (28U.S.C.A. § 1331) and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act and occur in the District Courts.

Judicial review of immigration decisions can be divided into three categories depending on the date of commencement of proceedings or issuance of a final order. If a person had a final order of deportation or exclusion entered before October 30, 1996, judicial review was governed by former INA § 106. Deportation or exclusion cases which were commenced on or before October 30, 1996—but where no final deportation or exclusion order had yet been issued—are subject to the transition rules under IIRIRA. Judicial review of post-IIRIRA removal proceedings initiated on or after April 1, 1997 are governed by INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252) which provide limited judicial review of many immigration matters.Except as provided in INA § 242(b) (8U.S.C.A. § 1252(b)). (requirements for review of removal orders), judicial review of a final order of removal is governed by Chapter 158 of Title 28 of the United States Code, except that courts may not order taking of additional evidence under (28 U.S.C.A. § 2347(c). However, there are matters not subject to judicial review as outlined in INA § 242(a)(2) (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252 (a) (2)). Generally, judicial review of an order of removal lies with the circuit courts of appeals.

Under several provisions contained in IIRIRA, the United States Congress sought to simplify and expedite the removal of aliens, including either eliminating or severely limiting judicial review of immigration decisions as follows:

(1) elimination or limitation of judicial review under INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252): this provision contains a variety of court stripping or limiting provisions;
(2) elimination of review regarding discretionary decisions relating to detention, or release, including the grant, revocation or denial of bond or parole;
(3) elimination of review of decisions of the Attorney General or his or her successor regarding voluntary departure;
(4) elimination of challenges against the United States or its agencies or officers under INA § 279 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1329).;
(5) restriction on judicial review of certain legalization claims other than in the context of review of a final order of deportation or removal unless the person filed within the original deadline or was refused (“front-desked”) by the legacy INS at the time and
(6) restriction on review of the denial of the right to seek asylum because the applicant;

(a) could seek protection in a safe third country;
(b) was previously denied asylum;
(c) did not file the application within one year of entry; or
(d) is deemed to be a terrorist.

Despite the restrictions created by IIRIRA precluding judicial review of a broad range of immigration related matters, federal courts still retain jurisdiction to review jurisdictional facts and determine the proper scope, if any, of its own jurisdiction.

Generally, petitioners must exhaust all administrative remedies prior to requesting review of a final order. Additionally, petitioners must comply with general Article III requirements relating to subject matter jurisdiction, standing, ripeness, mootness and the political question doctrine. These and the other bars to judicial review noted above must be addressed prior to reaching the merits of a case

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996included restrictions on federal judicial review of deportation, exclusion and removal cases. Former INA § 106, passed in 1961 by the United States Congress, had provided the basis for judicial review of immigration matters until its elimination by IIRIRA which replaced it with INA § 242, (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252).  

After the passage of IIRIRA, different procedures were created for judicial review of removal orders, including exclusion or deportation orders, and for immigration decisions generally. Decisions regarding judicial review of removal orders are now subject to INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252). Review of immigration decisions outside of removal proceedings are governed by (28U.S.C.A. § 1331) and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act and occur in the District Courts.

Judicial review of immigration decisions can be divided into three categories depending on the date of commencement of proceedings or issuance of a final order. If a person had a final order of deportation or exclusion entered before October 30, 1996, judicial review was governed by former INA § 106. Deportation or exclusion cases which were commenced on or before October 30, 1996—but where no final deportation or exclusion order had yet been issued—are subject to the transition rules under IIRIRA. Judicial review of post-IIRIRA removal proceedings initiated on or after April 1, 1997 are governed by INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252) which provide limited judicial review of many immigration matters.Except as provided in INA § 242(b) (8U.S.C.A. § 1252(b)). (requirements for review of removal orders), judicial review of a final order of removal is governed by Chapter 158 of Title 28 of the United States Code, except that courts may not order taking of additional evidence under (28 U.S.C.A. § 2347(c). However, there are matters not subject to judicial review as outlined in INA § 242(a)(2) (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252 (a) (2)). Generally, judicial review of an order of removal lies with the circuit courts of appeals.

Under several provisions contained in IIRIRA, the United States Congress sought to simplify and expedite the removal of aliens, including either eliminating or severely limiting judicial review of immigration decisions as follows:

(1) elimination or limitation of judicial review under INA § 242 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1252): this provision contains a variety of court stripping or limiting provisions;
(2) elimination of review regarding discretionary decisions relating to detention, or release, including the grant, revocation or denial of bond or parole;
(3) elimination of review of decisions of the Attorney General or his or her successor regarding voluntary departure;
(4) elimination of challenges against the United States or its agencies or officers under INA § 279 (8 U.S.C.A. § 1329).;
(5) restriction on judicial review of certain legalization claims other than in the context of review of a final order of deportation or removal unless the person filed within the original deadline or was refused (“front-desked”) by the legacy INS at the time and
(6) restriction on review of the denial of the right to seek asylum because the applicant;

(a) could seek protection in a safe third country;
(b) was previously denied asylum;
(c) did not file the application within one year of entry; or
(d) is deemed to be a terrorist.

Despite the restrictions created by IIRIRA precluding judicial review of a broad range of immigration related matters, federal courts still retain jurisdiction to review jurisdictional facts and determine the proper scope, if any, of its own jurisdiction.

Generally, petitioners must exhaust all administrative remedies prior to requesting review of a final order. Additionally, petitioners must comply with general Article III requirements relating to subject matter jurisdiction, standing, ripeness, mootness and the political question doctrine. These and the other bars to judicial review noted above must be addressed prior to reaching the merits of a case.

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How a deportation Attorney can help you win a cancellation of removal for non permanent residents 

I am in Removal Proceedings but wife was sick on my interview date

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I am in removal proceedings

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Can he be bonded out?

Question: I have a friend that was taken into deportation and would like to know if he can be bonded out. Can you give me some guidance?

ANSWER: A wide range of INS officials have the power to arrest and detain people. The INS can arrest a person without a warrant if it has “reason to believe that the alien … is in the United States in violation of any [immigration] law or regulation and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest.”

QUESTION: What happens after a person is arrested on a suspected immigration law violation?

ANSWER: S/he should be examined “without unnecessary delay” by an INS officer on his or her right to enter or remain in the United States. The officer examining the individual after arrest should not be the arresting officer unless another qualifying officer is not available and taking the person before another officer will cause unnecessary delay. If the examining officer finds prima facie evidence that the person arrested has violated the immigration laws, then the officer will place him or her in removal proceedings or institute expedited removal, if applicable.

If the INS places the person in removal proceedings, it should notify him or her of the reasons for his or her arrest. The examining officer should also inform the individual of his or her right to counsel at no expense to the government and provide him or her with a list of free legal service providers. The officer should also warn the person that any statement that s/he makes “may be used against him or her in a subsequent proceeding.”

The INS may hold a person arrested without a warrant for 48 hours or longer “in the event of emergency or other extraordinary circumstances.”12 On or before the conclusion of this period, the INS must determine whether the individual will continue to be detained or released on bond or recognizance. It must also decide whether to issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) and an arrest warrant.13

QUESTION: How does INS determine who should be released and under what conditions?

ANSWER: The local INS District Office (usually the Detention and Deportation Unit) makes the initial custody and bond determinations.14 As long as the s/he is not subject to mandatory detention due to criminal or terrorist grounds, the INS may release the individual on bond or on recognizance.15

In order to be released, a person “must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the officer that such release would not pose a danger to property or persons, and that the alien is likely to appear for any future proceeding.” The factors commonly considered in making the determination to release and/or set bond include: 1) Local family ties;
2) Prior arrests, convictions, appearances at hearings; 3) Membership in community organization; 4) Manner of entry length of time in the United States; 5) Immoral acts or participation in subversive activities; and 6) Financial ability to post bond.

After September 11, the government’s concern about security and intelligence gathering may also play a crucial role in deciding whether a person will be detained or released.

QUESTION: Can a person work once s/he has been released from INS custody?

ANSWER: The person can work as long as s/he is a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or is otherwise authorized to work, such as where s/he has received authorization to work based on a pending adjustment or asylum application.

QUESTION: Can a person challenge the INS’s custody/bond determination?

The regulations prohibit the following groups of people from requesting an Immigration Judge to review the INS’s custody and/or bond determination: 1) those considered to be “arriving aliens”; 2) those charged with being deportable on security, terrorism and related grounds; or 3) those subject to mandatory detention.

Even though an Immigration Judge does not have jurisdiction to redetermine custody and/or bond for the above groups, s/he does have jurisdiction to review whether the INS correctly determined that an individual does in fact belong to one of these groups.

Everyone else may request an Immigration Judge to review the INS’s custody and/or bond decisions at any time until a removal order becomes final. A request for custody and/or bond redetermination may be made orally, in writing, or by telephone, if the Immigration Judge permits in his or her discretion. If the person is detained, the request for custody and/or bond redetermination should be made to the Immigration Court that has jurisdiction over the place of detention. Otherwise, the request should be made to the Immigration Court that has administrative control over the case.

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HOMELAND SECURITY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Question: I have different petitions going through for my family. Other relatives are unfortunately in Removal/Deportation Proceedings. I understand that government is planning on restructuring certain departments. Will they restructure INS, and if so, what does that mean for us?

Answer: It appears as though either some or all of INS will be part of the new cabinet level division of the government. It will be known as Homeland Security. However, if it is done in a rash manner without giving the immigrants their rights, then it will hurt those immigrants trying to get her legally and to become legal in the future.

An effective, efficient, and fair immigration system is crucial to our national security and is fundamental to which we are as a people and as a nation of immigrants. Our immigration system must be reorganized. Our immigration system needs to be restructured on the basis of longstanding principles outlined by lawmakers, policy experts, and immigrant advocates.

These principles include: coordinating the separated enforcement and service functions, placing a strong leader in charge of both functions, and adequately funding enforcement and services.

If our immigration functions are included in the new Homeland Security Department, they must be reorganized within a separate division headed by a strong leader.

Question: What exactly will this new department do?

It is unclear at this time exactly what will happen and when it will happen. However, a new division, Immigration Services and Security, should be created within the Department of Homeland Security, headed by an Undersecretary who is knowledgeable about both services and enforcement. Immigration Services and Security should be made up of three sections: Immigration Services, Border Security, and Interior Security.

To enhance our security and support our border functions, a Transportation and Commercial Goods Security division also should be created. This division, along with the Immigration Services and Security division, would replace the proposed Border and Transportation Security Division.

The proposed Homeland Security Department must address concerns about civil rights, oversight, privacy, due process, and visa processing. The new agency must include an office to ensure that the constitutional and civil rights of all persons are protected as the agency carries out its national security mandates.

Policy development for visa issuance needs to remain a function of the State Department to avoid the chaos that would result from separating policy and process and to best address our foreign policy and U.S. business interests.

The Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) must remain outside of the Department of Homeland Security, and be constituted as an independent agency in order to guarantee the impartiality and checks and balances of our justice system. Otherwise, it will be as though the Prosecutor is both the opposing attorney and the judge on the same case.

In order for any reform to be effective, Congress must take the time to get it right, overhaul our immigration laws, and protect both our nation and our values and traditions.

Creating a Department of Homeland Security is an enormous undertaking, and Congress must take the time to get it right. We cannot afford the mistakes and oversights of a hasty examination. There is too much at stake.

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A new way to beat Deportation

Question: I have been here in the U.S. since I was six years old. About 12 years ago, I committed a drug crime of possession for sale. I was sentenced to 4 months. Now, all these years later, I have been put into removal proceedings where INS is trying to deport me. I have been told that I am an aggravated felon and there is nothing I can do. I have further been told that I will most likely be deported away from my family including my U.S. Citizen spouse and three U.S. Citizen Children. I have never done anything else criminally and it was just a stupid mistake when I was young. I have changed, have a good job, a family with U.S. Citizens and many community ties. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: As the law stands now, there is very little you can do. This is a result of the 1996 laws which increased dramatically the laws on what was considered to be an aggravated felony. It has torn families apart for many years since 1996. People who have become long term residents in the U.S. and have their Green Cards found out it did not make any difference. They were still deported. Furthermore, they found out that they were barred from coming back into the U.S. for the rest of their lives. Congress has seen all the suffering caused by the unfair and anti-immigration laws of 1996 and just this week the House Judiciary Committee passed the 2002 Due Process Reform Bill. While it still must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President, it is an excellent step in giving back some of the due process rights lost by long term residents who were put in deportation proceedings because of various crimes.

Question: How does this particular bill help me?

Answer: Please note that the Senate might change some of the provisions, or the President might require some alternate items in the bill. However, as the bill stands now, it applies specifically to people who previously had their Green Cards. They were or are going to be placed into deportation or removal proceedings because of a crime they committed. They are considered to be an aggravated felons and do not qualify for the normal Cancellation of Removal.

Question: What is Cancellation of Removal?

Answer: Prior to this bill there was a section of the bill referred to as Cancellation of Removal for Certain Lawful Permanent Residents. Generally, you had to have your Green Card for at least five-years and be physically present in the U.S. for at least seven-years. Finally, and this is the item that disqualified numerous people, is that you cannot be convicted of an aggravated felony.

Question: What does the new bill allow?

Answer: Basically it deals with the Cancellation of Removal for people who have committed aggravated felonies. In the new bill, it expands the Cancellation of Removal so that it allows people whom have been convicted of aggravated felonies to still keep their Green Cards and stay in the U.S. It deals with three different scenarios. First, people who have been convicted of a non violent aggravated felony. Second, people who were convicted of a violent aggravated felony. Finally, people who have been convicted of an aggravated felony and came to the U.S. as a young child. Each of these provisions allows a person to remain in the U.S. and to not be deported if the Judge grants the Cancellation of Removal. Therefore, this is a very big step toward restoring some of the harsh anti-immigrant provisions of the 1996 law. Hopefully, this trend will continue so that families can be reunited and the tearing apart of immigrant families will stop. .

A new way to beat Deportation

Question: I have been here in the U.S. since I was six years old. About 12 years ago, I committed a drug crime of possession for sale. I was sentenced to 4 months. Now, all these years later, I have been put into removal proceedings where INS is trying to deport me. I have been told that I am an aggravated felon and there is nothing I can do. I have further been told that I will most likely be deported away from my family including my U.S. Citizen spouse and three U.S. Citizen Children. I have never done anything else criminally and it was just a stupid mistake when I was young. I have changed, have a good job, a family with U.S. Citizens and many community ties. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: As the law stands now, there is very little you can do. This is a result of the 1996 laws which increased dramatically the laws on what was considered to be an aggravated felony. It has torn families apart for many years since 1996. People who have become long term residents in the U.S. and have their Green Cards found out it did not make any difference. They were still deported. Furthermore, they found out that they were barred from coming back into the U.S. for the rest of their lives. Congress has seen all the suffering caused by the unfair and anti-immigration laws of 1996 and just this week the House Judiciary Committee passed the 2002 Due Process Reform Bill. While it still must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President, it is an excellent step in giving back some of the due process rights lost by long term residents who were put in deportation proceedings because of various crimes.

Question: How does this particular bill help me?

Answer: Please note that the Senate might change some of the provisions, or the President might require some alternate items in the bill. However, as the bill stands now, it applies specifically to people who previously had their Green Cards. They were or are going to be placed into deportation or removal proceedings because of a crime they committed. They are considered to be an aggravated felons and do not qualify for the normal Cancellation of Removal.

Question: What is Cancellation of Removal?

Answer: Prior to this bill there was a section of the bill referred to as Cancellation of Removal for Certain Lawful Permanent Residents. Generally, you had to have your Green Card for at least five-years and be physically present in the U.S. for at least seven-years. Finally, and this is the item that disqualified numerous people, is that you cannot be convicted of an aggravated felony.

Question: What does the new bill allow?

Answer: Basically it deals with the Cancellation of Removal for people who have committed aggravated felonies. In the new bill, it expands the Cancellation of Removal so that it allows people whom have been convicted of aggravated felonies to still keep their Green Cards and stay in the U.S. It deals with three different scenarios. First, people who have been convicted of a non violent aggravated felony. Second, people who were convicted of a violent aggravated felony. Finally, people who have been convicted of an aggravated felony and came to the U.S. as a young child. Each of these provisions allows a person to remain in the U.S. and to not be deported if the Judge grants the Cancellation of Removal. Therefore, this is a very big step toward restoring some of the harsh anti-immigrant provisions of the 1996 law. Hopefully, this trend will continue so that families can be reunited and the tearing apart of immigrant families will stop. .

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Title: Is there hope for me in deportation proceedings?

Question: I have been in the United States for 13 years and have worked illegally the entire time. My boss just came to me last week and said the Social Security Department has sent him notification that there is something wrong with my Social Security Number and that he must terminate my position. Two days later I got a letter from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that I am in deportation proceedings. Do I have any hope?

Answer: First, the Social Security Department has been getting much stricter on notifying employers when a Social Security Card does not match the employees information. Previously, they had done this only when there was an employer with a large amount of employees who had incorrect information (e.g., fake social security cards.) However, in the current world we live in, they are now sending employers the request for confirmation of the Social Security Card if a single employee’s information does not match. Under the immigration laws, they are then forbidden to keep the employee hired without violating the law.

Unfortunately, you are now in Removal Proceedings and the INS will try to have you deported. Fortunately, the United States has several options for people in Removal (or deportation) Proceedings even if they have worked out of status and are here in the United States illegally. There is what is known as Cancellation of Removal. In order to qualify for this type of relief, you need several things. First, you must have been physically present in the United States for at least ten years. Secondly, you must have good moral character. Finally, you must have an immediate Lawful Permanent Resident Relative or United States Citizen who will suffer extreme hardship if you are deported or removed from the United States.

Question: I do have two United States Citizen Children. However, how would I possibly show or prove that they would suffer extreme hardship if I were deported?

Answer: You have actually hit on the most difficult part of a Cancellation of Removal case. It is showing the extreme hardship. Previously, if you had children that were of at least five or six years old, it was not difficult to prove this issue. Then the Board of Immigration Appeals came out with a case that basically made it incredibly difficult to meet the extreme hardship burden. Recently, the Board of Immigration Appeals has seemed to back off of such a stringent interpretation of the issue of showing extreme hardship. It is known as the Recinas case and was decided less than one month ago. In fact, the exact terminology that you must consider is ‘exceptional and extremely unusual’ hardship. Therefore, the hardship associated with a normal deportation will not suffice. However, under Recinas, you do not need to show that the hardship would be unconscionable. In deciding a Cancellation of Removal claim, consideration and evidence should be given to the age, health and circumstances of the family members. Some of the factors would include how a lower standard of living or adverse country conditions in the country of return might affect those relatives.

Question: What type of factors should I present to show the hardship?

Answer: In addition to the above, try to show all U.S. Citizen family members who interact with your children (such as a Grandmother or Grandfather.) Present evidence on how little knowledge they have of their home country, or how they may not know the language and culture of the home country. Present evidence showing financial, emotional and medical hardships. Also, show that there are no other realistic means for you to ever immigrate to the U.S. again. Basically, it is not easy to obtain Cancellation of Removal, but if all the evidence is presented and all of the different factors are taken into account regarding the hardship, there is a chance you will be granted your Lawful Permanent Residence based upon Cancellation of Removal.

Is there hope for me in deportation proceedings?

Question: I have been in the United States for 13 years and have worked illegally the entire time. My boss just came to me last week and said the Social Security Department has sent him notification that there is something wrong with my Social Security Number and that he must terminate my position. Two days later I got a letter from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that I am in deportation proceedings. Do I have any hope?

Answer: First, the Social Security Department has been getting much stricter on notifying employers when a Social Security Card does not match the employees information. Previously, they had done this only when there was an employer with a large amount of employees who had incorrect information (e.g., fake social security cards.) However, in the current world we live in, they are now sending employers the request for confirmation of the Social Security Card if a single employee’s information does not match. Under the immigration laws, they are then forbidden to keep the employee hired without violating the law.

Unfortunately, you are now in Removal Proceedings and the INS will try to have you deported. Fortunately, the United States has several options for people in Removal (or deportation) Proceedings even if they have worked out of status and are here in the United States illegally. There is what is known as Cancellation of Removal. In order to qualify for this type of relief, you need several things. First, you must have been physically present in the United States for at least ten years. Secondly, you must have good moral character. Finally, you must have an immediate Lawful Permanent Resident Relative or United States Citizen who will suffer extreme hardship if you are deported or removed from the United States.

Question: I do have two United States Citizen Children. However, how would I possibly show or prove that they would suffer extreme hardship if I were deported?

Answer: You have actually hit on the most difficult part of a Cancellation of Removal case. It is showing the extreme hardship. Previously, if you had children that were of at least five or six years old, it was not difficult to prove this issue. Then the Board of Immigration Appeals came out with a case that basically made it incredibly difficult to meet the extreme hardship burden. Recently, the Board of Immigration Appeals has seemed to back off of such a stringent interpretation of the issue of showing extreme hardship. It is known as the Recinas case and was decided less than one month ago. In fact, the exact terminology that you must consider is ‘exceptional and extremely unusual’ hardship. Therefore, the hardship associated with a normal deportation will not suffice. However, under Recinas, you do not need to show that the hardship would be unconscionable. In deciding a Cancellation of Removal claim, consideration and evidence should be given to the age, health and circumstances of the family members. Some of the factors would include how a lower standard of living or adverse country conditions in the country of return might affect those relatives.

Question: What type of factors should I present to show the hardship?

Answer: In addition to the above, try to show all U.S. Citizen family members who interact with your children (such as a Grandmother or Grandfather.) Present evidence on how little knowledge they have of their home country, or how they may not know the language and culture of the home country. Present evidence showing financial, emotional and medical hardships. Also, show that there are no other realistic means for you to ever immigrate to the U.S. again. Basically, it is not easy to obtain Cancellation of Removal, but if all the evidence is presented and all of the different factors are taken into account regarding the hardship, there is a chance you will be granted your Lawful Permanent Residence based upon Cancellation of Removal.

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Title: New Hope for Aliens in Removal Proceedings

The Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision, In re Ariadna Angelica Gonzalez, et al. (23 I & N Dec. 467, Interim Decision #3479, BIA 2002) on September 19, 2002 that seems to ease some of the restrictions on applying for cancellation of removal.

When an alien is placed into removal proceedings (previously referred to as deportation proceedings), there is a type of relief known as cancellation of removal. If the Immigration Judge grants the relief, then the alien will be granted lawful permanent residence in the United States. To qualify for this relief, one must show that he or she has been physically present in the United States for at least ten years prior to being placed into removal proceedings. Next, the alien must show they have good moral character and have not been convicted of certain crimes. Finally, the most difficult element to prove for this type of relief is to show that an immediate family member who is either a United States citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident will suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if the he or she is removed from the United States.

Prior to In re Gonzalez, it appeared as though only those aliens in removal proceedings who had a United States son or daughter who suffered from some type of sever medical trauma would be granted cancellation of removal. Naturally, most people in proceedings could never meet such a high standard. This type of standard was not only restrictive, but unrealistic for most people to meet. Congress has allowed aliens without legal status in removal proceedings to apply for this type of relief. They have intended that long term residents should be given a real chance to be able to continue their lives in the United States without having their families torn apart and separated for years or for the rest of their lives.

The problem is with the term ‘exceptional and extremely unusual hardship.’ Clearly, any family who is separated by removal of one of its members from the United States will suffer hardship. However, for those who want to win the cancellation of removal cases, they must present facts showing that they will suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. When this law was passed under the Immigration and Nationality Act section 240, there were no precedent decisions as to what constitutes this type of hardship. In reality, each Immigration Judge could have their own interpretation as to what type of hardship will fall under this standard. Previously, the Board of Immigration Appeals has issued very harsh decisions as to what constitutes this high standard of hardship. Subsequent to the issuance of those decisions, it has been practically impossible to ever get a grant of cancellation of removal from an Immigration Judge.

In re Gonzalez moves the pendulum back and gives the attorneys and the judges some realistic direction on what constitutes ‘exceptional and extremely unusual hardship’. In this case there was a single mother of six children and no family ties in Mexico. Four of her children were United States citizens. She has lawful permanent resident parents and five of her siblings are United States citizens.

The factors the Board of Immigration Appeals considered in assessing the hardship included the heavy financial burden imposed on her by having to support all of her family in her native country, the lack of any familial support for her children, the lack of any family in her native country, the children’s unfamiliarity with the Spanish language and the unavailability of any other means of immigrating to the United States.

In re Gonzalez makes it clear that ‘unconscionable’ hardship need not be shown. In deciding a cancellation of removal case, the age, health, and other circumstances of the relative must be considered if they are to live in a country with a lower standard of living.

The financial hardship on the alien was a determinative factor. The Board of Immigration Appeals noted that her children were not receiving any type of financial assistance from their father. Additionally, the Board of Immigration Appeals noted that should she be removed from the United States, it would be unlikely that she would be able to legally return to the United States in the foreseeable future.

The Board of Immigration Appeals stated that they must consider the ‘totality of the burden on the entire family’ that would result from the removal of the mother from the United States. Thus, a cumulative analysis must be made as to all of the factors relating to the hardship.

Prior to this decision, getting the Immigration Judge to grant a cancellation of removal was rare. Now, aliens in removal proceedings can present a myriad of evidence to meet the high standard of hardship that their families will suffer if they are removed from the United States.