Leopold Sylvester Davis, Petitioner, v. United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, Respondent, 9 F.3d 1551 (9th Cir. 1993)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Leopold Sylvester Davis, a native and citizen of Jamaica, petitions pro se for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals' ("BIA") order affirming the immigration judge's ("IJ") decision finding Davis deportable as charged and denying as a matter of discretion Davis's application for waiver of deportation. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1105a(a). We review for abuse of discretion, Ayala-Chavez v. INS, 944 F.2d 638, 642 (9th Cir. 1991), and deny the petition for review.

On January 9, 1991, the Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS") issued an order to show cause charging Davis with being deportable as an aggravated felon under section 241(a) (4) (B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA"), 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a) (4) (B), and as an alien convicted of violation of a law regarding a controlled substance under section 241(a) (11) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a) (11), because Davis had been convicted of distribution of cocaine. Davis conceded deportability and filed an application for waiver of deportation pursuant to section 212(c) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1182(c).¹  The IJ found Davis statutorily eligible for waiver of deportation but denied relief as a matter of discretion. The IJ determined that the equities in Davis's favor were not outstanding or unusual and did not outweigh the negative factors, specifically Davis's conviction of a serious drug offense. The IJ also found that Davis had denied meaningful participation in drug-related activity and attempted to shift the blame for his activities. On appeal, the BIA affirmed the IJ's denial of discretionary relief under section 212(c).

The sole question in this petition is whether the BIA abused its discretion by denying Davis's request for waiver of deportation.²  Our review is limited to the BIA's decision. Charlesworth v. INS, 966 F.2d 1323, 1325 (9th Cir. 1992). "In reviewing a BIA decision for abuse of discretion, we require that its stated reasons evidence its consideration of all relevant factors." Mattis v. INS, 774 F.2d 965, 967 (9th Cir. 1985). "We may set aside the BIA's denial of section 212(c) relief 'only if the [BIA] failed to support its conclusions with a reasoned explanation based upon legitimate concerns.' " Ayala-Chavez, 944 F.2d at 642 (quoting Vargas v. INS, 831 F.2d 906, 908 (9th Cir. 1987)).

The BIA concluded that the IJ considered all the relevant factors as set forth in previous BIA decisions.³  The BIA disagreed with the IJ's findings that Davis had denied participation in drug-related activities and attempted to shift the blame, and concluded that Davis had accepted responsibility for his actions. The BIA nevertheless found that the equities in Davis's favor were not unusual or outstanding. The BIA noted Davis's criminal history, including a 1972 misdemeanor shoplifting conviction and the cocaine distribution conviction, and Davis's use of drugs over a long period. The BIA appropriately found Davis's conviction for distribution of cocaine to be "an extremely serious negative factor" requiring that he show outstanding equities. See Ayala-Chavez, 944 F.2d at 641-42.

The BIA then noted the equities in Davis's favor, including his United States citizen wife and daughter, his employment, his purchase of a home, his lack of further criminal or drug problems, and the many letters of recommendation submitted in his behalf. The BIA also noted that Davis had entered the country at age 30, lived in this country for 9 years, and that Davis's wife and daughter had been able to manage without him during his incarceration. The BIA concluded that the positive factors and the hardship to his family did not outweigh the negative factors, particularly his serious criminal history.

We are satisfied that the BIA considered the relevant factors and supported its conclusions with reasoned explanations. See Ayala-Chavez, 944 F.2d at 642; Mattis, 774 F.2d at 967. The BIA did not abuse its discretion by denying Davis's request for waiver of deportation.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.