Denis Francisco Ingram, Petitioner, v. United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, Respondent, 990 F.2d 1258 (9th Cir. 1993)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Denis Francisco Ingram, a native and citizen of Nicaragua, petitions pro se for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' ("BIA") summary dismissal of his appeal for failure to adequately specify the grounds for the appeal pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 3.1(d) (1-a) (i). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1105a and deny the petition for review.

* Background

On July 6, 1989, Ingram was issued an order to show cause why he should not be deported pursuant to section 241(a) (2) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act ("Act"), 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a) (2), as an alien who entered the United States without inspection.

Ingram filed an application for asylum and withholding of deportation. After reviewing Ingram's application and holding a deportation hearing, the immigration judge ("IJ") denied Ingram's application and found him deportable. Ingram timely filed a Form I-290A notice of appeal with the BIA in which he gave the following reason for his appeal:

The facts of this case clearly shows that if Respondent returns to Nicaragua at this time, he will be persecuted for his political beliefs. Immigration Judge failed to give full consideration of Respondent's testimony in rejecting his application for Political Asylum.

In his notice of appeal, Ingram indicated that he would not file a supplemental brief. On June 29, 1991, the BIA summarily dismissed Ingram's appeal pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 3.1(d) (1-a) (i). The BIA found that Ingram "in no meaningful way identified the basis of the appeal." Ingram timely petitions this court for review.

II

Standard of Review

"Although our Circuit has 'not clearly articulated the standard for reviewing BIA summary dismissal of appeals ..., we have analyzed whether such summary dismissals are 'appropriate.' ' " Toquero v. INS, 956 F.2d 193, 194 (9th Cir. 1992) (quoting Martinez-Zelaya v. INS, 841 F.2d 294, 295 (9th Cir. 1988)); see also Escobar-Ramos v. INS, 927 F.2d 482, 484 (9th Cir. 1991) (ruling on the "appropriateness" of the BIA's summary dismissal).

III

Analysis

Pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 3.1(d) (1-a) (i), the BIA may summarily dismiss an appeal if the alien fails to specify the reasons for the appeal in the notice of appeal. We have held that summary dismissal is appropriate if the alien fails to adequately "inform the BIA of what aspects of the IJ's decision were allegedly incorrect and why." Reyes-Mendoza v. INS, 774 F.2d 1364, 1365 (9th Cir. 1981) (citing Matter of Holquin, 13 I & N Dec. 423, 425-26 (BIA 1969)). Likewise, in Toquero, we held that "a generalized and conclusory statement ... does not provide meaningful guidance to the BIA ..., [and] does not satisfy the regulations' rigorous requirements." 956 F.2d at 195.

Here, Ingram's notice of appeal is conclusory and does not adequately inform the BIA of the specific grounds for his appeal. The statements in the notice of appeal fail to cite any legal authority or any specific facts surrounding the IJ's alleged errors and in no meaningful way apprised the BIA of the specific legal or factual basis for his appeal. See id. Thus, based on the information contained in the notice of appeal, the BIA's summary dismissal under 8 C.F.R. § 3.1(d) (1-a) (i) for failure to adequately specify the grounds for appeal in the notice of appeal was "appropriate." See id.; Martinez-Zelaya, 841 F.2d at 296; Reyes-Mendoza, 774 F.2d at 1364-65.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.