Vilma Colon-farfan, Petitioner, v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Respondent, 124 F.3d 210 (9th Cir. 1997)

MEMORANDUM^* 

Vilma Colon-Farfan, a native and citizen of Guatemala, petitions for review of the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals ("BIA") affirming the immigration judge's ("IJ") denial of her motion to reopen deportation proceedings in order to apply for suspension of deportation pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1254(a). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1105a(a), and we deny the petition.

We review the denial of a motion to reopen for abuse of discretion. Hernandez-Vivas v. INS, 23 F.3d 1557, 1560 (9th Cir. 1994).

Colon-Farfan contends that the BIA abused its discretion by affirming the immigration judge's denial of Colon-Farfan's motion to reopen because she demonstrated prima facie eligibility for suspension of deportation. This contention lacks merit.

Section 242B(e) (2) (A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that any alien who is allowed to depart voluntarily and who remains in the United States after the scheduled date of departure, shall not be eligible for certain forms of relief, including suspension of deportation. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252b(e) (2) (A), (e) (5).

Here, because the record reflects that Colon-Farfan overstayed her June 25, 1996 voluntary departure date and she has made no attempt to demonstrate exceptional circumstances for her failure to depart, she was not statutorily eligible for suspension of deportation. See id. Accordingly, the BIA did not abuse its discretion by affirming the IJ's denial of her motion to reopen. See Hernandez-Vivas, 23 F.3d at 1560.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.