quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
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Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Quick Reference Chart <strong>and</strong> Notes<br />
February 2010<br />
Also, counsel should obtain a sentence of 364 days or less, <strong>and</strong>/or make sure that the record<br />
of conviction indicates, or leaves open the possibility, that the accessory assisted the person in<br />
escaping from police, not avoiding an ongoing judicial proceeding. Batista-Hern<strong>and</strong>ez, supra,<br />
also held that federal accessory after the fact is an aggravated felony as obstruction of justice if a<br />
sentence of a year or more is imposed, although under subsequent precedent that would not be<br />
true unless the offense impedes an ongoing judicial proceeding. See Part G, infra.<br />
For the Defendant: Offering to commit a drug offense under Calif. H&S §§ 11352(a), 11360(a)<br />
<strong>and</strong> 11379(a) is not an aggravated felony because it constitutes solicitation. There<strong>for</strong>e, these<br />
statutes are divisible <strong>for</strong> this purpose. United States v. Rivera-Sanchez, 247 F.3d 905 (9th Cir.<br />
2001)(en banc). Transportation <strong>for</strong> personal use is not a drug trafficking aggravated felony;<br />
there<strong>for</strong>e the statutes also are divisible in this manner.<br />
Note on offering <strong>and</strong> transportation: Transportation <strong>for</strong> personal use is a better plea than<br />
offering, <strong>for</strong> one thing because it will be recognized outside the Ninth Circuit. A conviction <strong>for</strong><br />
transportation or solicitation (of a specifically identified controlled substance) under these<br />
statutes is a deportable <strong>and</strong> inadmissible offense relating to a controlled substance. Mielewczyk v.<br />
Holder, 575 F.3d 992 (9th Cir. 2009) (solicitation).<br />
For the Defendant: A conviction under P.C. § 653f(d) <strong>for</strong> soliciting possession of a drug per<br />
commission of Health & Safety Code §§ 11352, 11379, 11379.5, 11379.6, or 11391 is not a<br />
conviction of a deportable <strong>and</strong> inadmissible drug offense, nor of an aggravated felony.<br />
Mielewczyk v. Holder, 575 F.3d 992, 998 (9th Cir. 2009).<br />
Note on § 653f: The government might charge that this is dicta.<br />
Note on possession <strong>for</strong> sale: Avoid possession <strong>for</strong> sale of a specified substance, which is an<br />
aggravated felony. If needed, plead up to offering to sell as described above. Possession <strong>for</strong><br />
sale of an unspecified substance is a good plea.<br />
For the Defendant: A first conviction <strong>for</strong> simple possession (felony or misdemeanor); <strong>for</strong> a<br />
lesser offense such as possession of paraphernalia eliminated <strong>for</strong> <strong>immigration</strong> purposes by<br />
“rehabilitative relief” such as under Prop 36, DEJ or PC § 1203.4. Lujan-Armendariz v. INS, 222<br />
F.3d 728 (9 th Cir. 2000), Cardenas-Uriarte v. INS, 227 F.3d 1132 (9 th Cir. 2000).<br />
Note on Lujan-Armendariz. This will not work if the person violates probation, even if she<br />
later completes probation. It will not work if there was a prior pre-plea diversion. The Lujan<br />
defense will not be accepted outside of the Ninth Circuit. See § N.8, supra.<br />
N-138 Immigrant Legal Resource Center