United States v. Lopez-Perez
Opinion
MEMORANDUM
Juan Lopez-Perez was indicted and convicted of illegal reentry after removal. He appeals the district court’s denial of his motion to dismiss the indictment. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.
Because the parties are familiar with the facts, we do not recite them here. We conclude that Lopez-Perez’s waiver, at the underlying removal hearing, was not knowing and intelligent. The immigration judge (“IJ”) erroneously failed to inform Lopez-Perez of the possibility that he might have a claim for derivative citizenship.
Although we conclude that Lopez-Perez’s waiver was not knowing and intelligent, and a due process violation therefore occurred,
The district court may rely on evidence that was inadmissible at Lopez-Perez’s removal proceeding before the IJ.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.
AFFIRMED.
This panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
xhis disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
. United States v. Muro-Inclan, 249 F.3d 1180, 1183 (9th Cir. 2001).
. See id.
. See Ariz v. Components, Inc., 66 F.3d 213, 217 (9th Cir. 1995). In any event, the argument has no merit, as Lopez-Perez told the IJ he was prepared to proceed without an attorney after several continuances.
. Muro-Inclan, 249 F.3d at 1183-84.
. Id. at 1184 (stating that, to show prejudice, a petitioner must demonstrate that "he had a ‘plausible’ ground for relief from deportation,” not merely a ground about which the IJ should have informed him) (some internal quotation marks omitted).
. See United States v. Arrieta, 224 F.3d 1076, 1082-83 (9th Cir. 2000) (finding prejudice after consulting evidence not presented to the IJ).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Juan LOPEZ-PEREZ, Defendant—Appellant
- Status
- Published