Monterroso v. Garland
Monterroso v. Garland
Opinion
NOT FOR PUBLICATION FILED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS SEP 14 2023 MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
RUDY AROLDO MONTERROSO, No. 21-600 Agency No. Petitioner, A071-569-981 v. MEMORANDUM* MERRICK B. GARLAND, Attorney General,
Respondent.
On Petition for Review of an Order of the Board of Immigration Appeals
Submitted August 23, 2023** Pasadena, California
Before: BERZON, RAWLINSON, and BRESS, Circuit Judges.
Rudy Aroldo Monterroso (Monterroso), a native and citizen of Guatemala,
petitions for review of a decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
denying his motion to reopen immigration proceedings. Monterroso contends that
* This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3. ** The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2). changed country conditions entitle him to relief under the Convention Against
Torture (CAT). “We review the denial of a motion to reopen for an abuse of
discretion and reverse only if the BIA’s decision was arbitrary, irrational, or
contrary to law.” Silva v. Garland,
993 F.3d 705, 717–18 (9th Cir. 2021) (citation
and internal quotation marks omitted). We generally have jurisdiction under
8 U.S.C. § 1252to review the BIA’s denial of a motion to reopen, but we have no
jurisdiction to review a decision whether to sua sponte grant relief, except for
“legal or constitutional error.” Lona v. Barr,
958 F.3d 1225, 1227(9th Cir. 2020)
(citation omitted).
1. The BIA did not abuse its discretion when concluding that Monterroso
failed to demonstrate changed country conditions that would excuse the
untimeliness of his motion to reopen.1 See
8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(c)(3)(ii). Monterroso
bore the burden of “produc[ing] evidence that conditions have changed in
[Guatemala]” since his removal hearing in 2012. Silva,
993 F.3d at 718. The
documents submitted by Monterroso do not meet his burden.
Monterroso argued that he is more likely than not to be tortured in
Guatemala because of his tattoos and former gang affiliation. But the article
Monterroso included with his motion to reopen primarily discusses conditions in El
Salvador rather than Guatemala. Additionally, the 2016 and 2017 country reports
1 Monterroso does not dispute the finding that his motion is untimely.
2 21-600 do not establish an increased likelihood that Monterroso or his children will be
targeted by gangs, but instead, reflect a continuation of the generalized crime and
corruption present in 2012. Accordingly, the evidence Monterroso proffered does
not show that the circumstances have materially changed to excuse the untimely
filing. See id.
2. Monterroso’s contention that the BIA legally erred by failing to
consider all relevant factors lacks merit. See Bonilla v. Lynch,
840 F.3d 575, 588(9th Cir. 2016), as amended. Contrary to Monterroso’s assertions, the BIA
acknowledged the existence of Monterroso’s family, expressly mentioning that
Monterroso submitted “[his] children’s birth certificates” and that his “children
were born in 2001 and 2002.” The BIA also noted that it considered Monterroso’s
written statement, which indicated that Monterroso had not been involved with
gangs since 2000. Thus, the BIA’s explanation of its decision was sufficient. See
Najmabadi v. Holder,
597 F.3d 983, 990(9th Cir. 2010) (“The BIA does not have
to write an exegesis on every contention. . . .”) (citation and alterations omitted).
PETITION DENIED.2
2 The temporary stay of removal remains in place until the mandate issues.
3 21-600
Reference
- Status
- Unpublished