Jose Alonso Nevarez-lujan, Petitioner, v. Immigration & Naturalization Service, Respondent, 13 F.3d 406 (10th Cir. 1993)

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. Petitioner's Request for Oral Argument is denied, and the case is ordered submitted on the briefs.

Petitioner Jose Alonso Nevarez-Lujan seeks review of a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision affirming an immigration judge's denial of his application for discretionary relief from deportation pursuant to section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(c).

Relief under section 212(c) is left to the discretion of the Attorney General. 8 U.S.C. 1182(c). We review the BIA's decision to deny Petitioner's application for section 212(c) relief for an abuse of discretion. Nunez-Pena v. INS, 956 F.2d 223, 226 (10th Cir. 1992).² 

Petitioner argues that the BIA erred in requiring him to show "unusual or outstanding equities" justifying a waiver of deportation. Petitioner claims that this decision conflicted with the BIA's decision in another, unpublished decision. Unpublished decisions of the Board are not precedential. 8 C.F.R. 3.1(g). We do not find any abuse of discretion in the Board's decision to require Petitioner to show unusual or outstanding equities. Moreover, we note that the Board did in fact find that Petitioner had shown such equities, but determined that they were outweighed by Petitioner's crimes. Because the Board found that Petitioner had demonstrated outstanding equities, any alleged error in requiring such a showing would be harmless.

Petitioner next argues that the BIA failed to consider all relevant factors in exercising its discretion to deny section 212(c) relief. The Board "has no duty to write an exegesis on every contention. What is required is merely that it consider the issues raised, and announce its decision in terms sufficient to enable a reviewing court to perceive that it has heard and thought and not merely reacted." Becerra-Jiminez v. INS, 829 F.2d 996, 1000 (10th Cir. 1987) (quoting Osuchukwu v. INS, 744 F.2d 1136, 1142-43 (5th Cir. 1984)). We hold that the BIA has met this standard.

Finally, Petitioner argues that the Board improperly weighed the equities in his case, especially in light of the Board's decision in its prior unpublished decision. Congress has delegated to the Attorney General, not the courts, the responsibility for weighing the favorable and unfavorable factors in deciding whether to grant relief under section 212(c). We cannot substitute Petitioner's weighing of the factors for that of the Board. See Nunez-Pena, 956 F.2d at 226. We hold that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in denying relief in this case.

The Petition for Review is DENIED.