Justia U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion Summaries

The defendant entered the U.S. from Canada under a six-month visitor visa and stayed more than half of his life. He was convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal damage to property, theft under $2,500, and lewd and lascivious conduct under Wisconsin law. The immigration judge held that he was subject to removal. The Board of Immigration Appeals and the Seventh Circuit agreed. Removal for staying longer than permitted by visa can be cancelled under 8 U.S.C. 1229b if an alien has been present for 10 continuous years, has been a person of good moral character, has not been convicted of specific offenses including crimes of moral turpitude, and removal would work a hardship for a parent, child, or spouse who is a citizen or legal permanent resident. A waiver available for convictions relating to petty offenses does not apply to a conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia; offenses relating to controlled substances are crimes of moral turpitude.

The defendant appealed a sentence of 40 months after pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien following conviction for an aggravated felony. Sentencing guidelines provide a range of 46 to 57 months. The Seventh Circuit affirmed. The court properly considered a prior arrest that did not result in conviction; it had detailed, reliable information about the conduct underlying that arrest. Consideration of other arrests, for which the court did not have detailed information, was harmless error; the judge placed more weight on a prior conviction for drug trafficking and the defendant did not object to consideration of the arrests at the time of sentencing. Although the Seventh Circuit held, after the sentencing, that a court may consider the disparity in guidelines ranges for illegal re-entry, depending on whether the district has a "fast track" program, the district judge properly declined to lower the sentence based on the district's lack of a program. The defendant had not made concessions that would be required by such a program.

Ni was smuggled into the United States in 1990 and sought asylum in 1994. His petition was denied and the case was closed. Some years later, facing deportation, Ni attempted to establish fear of religious persecution. The Board of Immigration Appeals rejected the claim. The Seventh Circuit, affirmed, noting the difference between harassment and persecution. Testimony about treatment of Ni and his family in the 1970s and early 1980s and evidence about current conditions in China did not support a legitimate claim of fear of future persecution.