U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2009

Cruz v. Holder

Cruz v. Holder
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · Decided April 9, 2009 · Niemeyer, Michael, Traxler
321 F. App'x 280

Cruz v. Holder

Opinion

Petition denied by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM:

Elpidia Manalansan Cruz and her daughter, Sherylene Manalansan Cruz, natives and citizens of the Philippines, petition for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“Board”) denying them untimely motion to reopen. We deny the petition for review.

This court reviews the denial of a motion to reopen for abuse of discretion. 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(a) (2008); INS v. Doherty, 502 U.S. 314, 323-24, 112 S.Ct. 719, 116 L.Ed.2d 823 (1992); Barry v. Gonzales, 445 F.3d 741, 744 (4th Cir. 2006). A denial of a motion to reopen must be reviewed with extreme deference, since immigration statutes do not contemplate reopening and the applicable regulations disfavor such motions. M.A. v. INS, 899 F.2d 304, 308 (4th Cir. 1990) (en banc). We will reverse the Board’s denial of a motion to reopen only if the denial is “arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.” Barry, 445 F.3d at 745. “[Administrative findings of fact are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary.” 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B) (2006). The Board’s decision need only be reasoned, not convincing. M.A., 899 F.2d at 310.

We find no abuse of discretion. Furthermore, we are without jurisdiction to review the Board’s decision not to exercise its authority to sua sponte reopen the proceedings. See Mosere v. Mukasey, 552 F.3d 397, 400-01 (4th Cir. 2009). We further note there is no Fifth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel during the course of removal proceedings. See Massis v. Mukasey, 549 F.3d 631, 637 (4th Cir. 2008); Afanwi v. Mukasey, 526 F.3d 788, 799 (4th Cir. 2008).

Accordingly, we deny the petition for review. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED.

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