Aleks Pllumbaj v. Loretta Lynch

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Aleks Pllumbaj v. Loretta Lynch, 671 F. App'x 608 (9th Cir. 2016)
Wallace, Leavy, Fisher

Aleks Pllumbaj v. Loretta Lynch

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Aleks Pllumbaj, a native and citizen of Albania, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA”) order dismissing his appeal from an immigration judge’s (“IJ”) order denying his motion to reopen removal proceedings. Our jurisdiction is governed by 8 U.S.C. § 1252. We review for abuse of discretion the denial of a motion to reopen. Avagyan v. Holder, 646 F.3d 672, 674 (9th Cir. 2011). We deny in part and dismiss in part the petition for review.

Pllumbaj’s contention that the agency abused its discretion in not properly applying Malty v. Ashcroft, 381 F.3d 942 (9th Cir. 2004), is not supported, because the agency determined petitioner had demonstrated conditions had changed in Albania since Pllumbaj’s initial removal hearing, but had failed to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of meeting the requirements to establish prima facie eligibility for asylum and related relief. See Malty, 381 F.3d at 947-48; Mendez-Castro v. Mukasey, 552 F.3d 975, 980 (9th Cir. 2009) (concluding that the agency applies the correct legal standard where it expressly cites and ap *609 plies relevant ease law in rendering its decision).

Because the BIA made its determination on the merits and declined to address the IJ’s departure bar findings, we need not reach Pllumbaj’s contention that the IJ erred in finding that the immigration court lacked jurisdiction to reopen his proceedings.

In light of this decision, we need not reach Pllumbaj’s contention that he is eligible for adjustment of status upon reopening of his removal proceedings. See Simeonov v. Ashcroft, 371 F.3d 532, 538 (9th Cir. 2004).

We lack jurisdiction to consider Pllum-baj’s unexhausted contention regarding the enforceability of his removal order. See Barron v. Ashcroft, 358 F.3d 674, 678 (9th Cir. 2004) (court lacks jurisdiction to review claims not presented to the agency).

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.

Reference

Full Case Name
Aleks PLLUMBAJ, Petitioner, v. Loretta E. LYNCH, Attorney General, Respondent
Status
Unpublished