Lapena v. Gonzales
Lapena v. Gonzales
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Banjo Lopez Lapena, a native and citizen of the Philippines, petitions pro se for review of an order of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) removal order. To the extent we have jurisdiction, it is pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252. Parrilla v. Gonzales, 414 F.3d 1038, 1040 (9th Cir. 2005). We deny the petition for review in part and dismiss it in part.
Reviewing de novo, Altamirano v. Gonzales, 427 F.3d 586, 591 (9th Cir. 2005), we have held that a conviction pursuant to California Penal Code § 261.5(c) for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is categorically “sexual abuse of a minor,” an aggravated felony. See Afridi v. Gonzales, 442 F.3d 1212, 1217 (9th Cir. 2006). Accordingly, Lapena is ineligible for lawful permanent resident cancellation of removal. See 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a)(3) (precluding cancellation for aliens “convicted of any aggravated felony”).
We also conclude that the BIA properly corrected the IJ’s reference to an incorrect section of the California Penal Code.
PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED in part; DISMISSED in part.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.