Freeman v. Ashcroft
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Juliet Lagundino Freeman (“Freeman”), a native and citizen of the Philippines, petitions for review of the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) affirming the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) denial of suspension of deportation, voluntary departure, a misrepresentation waiver, and a “good faith” hardship waiver under 8 U.S.C. § 1186a(c)(4)(B) (1994).
Because the parties are familiar with the factual and procedural background, we do not repeat it here. We review factual findings under the substantial evidence standard. INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 481, 112 S.Ct. 812, 117 L.Ed.2d 38 (1992). The agency’s determination “must be upheld if supported by reasonable, substantial, and probative evidence on the record considered as a whole.” Id (internal quotations omitted). We review for substantial evidence the BIA’s determination that a marriage was not entered into in good faith. See Roe v. INS, 771 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1985). “Whether a petitioner falls into one of the[ ] per se categories [of 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f), setting forth persons deemed to lack good moral character,] depends upon findings of fact, which we review for substantial evidence.” Kalaw, 133 F.3d at 1151; see also Ramos v. INS, 246 F.3d 1264, 1266 (9th Cir. 2001). The discretionary denial of a misrepresentation waiver may be overturned if it is arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion. See INS v. Yang, 519 U.S. 26, 32, 117 S.Ct. 350, 136 L.Ed.2d 288 (1996).
1. Good Faith Waiver
Freeman contends that there is no substantial evidence in the record to support the IJ’s finding that she did not have a good faith marriage to her first husband,
2. Suspension of Deportation and Voluntary Departure
Freeman contends that the BIA erred by finding her ineligible for suspension of deportation and voluntary departure under former 8 U.S.C. § 1254(a) and (e) (1994) (now repealed), based on the finding that Freeman presented false testimony during her immigration hearing. Freeman also contends that the false testimony finding is incorrect because the alleged misrepresentations did not go to the “heart of the claim” that she had bona fide intent at the time of her marriage. We disagree.
An applicant for suspension of deportation or voluntary departure must show that she is a person of good moral character. See 8 U.S.C. § 1254(a) and (e). An individual cannot establish good moral character if she gives false oral testimony under oath, with a “subjective intent to deceive for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits.” Ramos, 246 F.3d at 1266; see also 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f)(6) (1994).
The IJ found that Freeman presented false testimony during her immigration hearing based on the internal inconsistencies in her testimony, and the discrepancies between her testimony and her prior sworn statements to the INS. The record shows that Freeman gave inconsistent accounts regarding: (1) whether she notified her former husband of her arrival plans; and (2) the reasons Freeman did not live with her husband once she arrived. Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the agency’s determination that Freeman testified falsely in order to obtain a good faith waiver.
3. Misrepresentation Waiver
Relying on her argument, rejected above, that the IJ erred in determining that she gave false testimony, Freeman also contends that the IJ’s denial of a misrepresentation waiver under former 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(1)(H) (1994) (now codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(1)(H)), must be overturned. The IJ did not abuse his discre
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.
This 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.
. Freeman does not appeal the IJ's denial of an extreme hardship waiver under 8 U.S.C. § 1186a(c)(4)(A) or a battered spouse waiver under 8 U.S.C. § 1186a(c)(4)(C).
. The IJ also based his negative credibility finding, in part, on Freeman’s demeanor during the hearing. Because the IJ did not "specifically and cogently refer to any aspect of [Freeman's] demeanor,” we do not rely on the demeanor finding here. Arulampalam v. Ashcroft, 353 F.3d 679, 685-86 (9th Cir. 2003).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Juliet Lagundino FREEMAN, aka Juliet Lagundino Branagan, aka Juliet Tuya Lagundino, aka Juliet Lagundino Moniz v. John ASHCROFT, Attorney General
- Status
- Published