LOZADA

Interim Decision *3059 MATTER OF LOZADA In Deportation Proceedings A-31025184 Decided by Board April 18, 1988 (1) A motion to reopen or reconsider based upon a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel requires (1) that the motion be supported by an affidavit of the allegedly aggrieved respondent setting forth in detail the agreement that was entered into with counsel with respect to the actions to be taken and what representations counsel did or did not make to the respondent in this regard, (2) that counsel whose integrity or competence is being impugned be Informed of the allegatione leveled against him and be given an opportunity to respond, and (3) that the motion reflect whether a complaint has been filed with appropriate disciplinary authorities with respect to any violation of counsel's ethical or legal responsibilities, and if not, why not. (2) An alien deportable under section 241(aX4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1251 (a)(4) (1982), is ineligible for voluntary departure unless he qualifies under the provisions of section 244(aX2) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1254 (aX2) (1982), which in the case of criminal offenders requires, inter alia, that the alien have been physically present in the United States and a person of good moral character for a continuous period of not less than 10 years following the date of his conviction_ Matter of P-, 6 I&N Dec. 788 (BIA 1955), followed. CHARGE: Order: Act of 1952—Sec. 241(aX4) [ 8 U.S.C. §1251 (aX4)J—Crime involving moral turpitude ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT: ON BEHALF OF SERVICE: Mark L. Galvin, Esquire John M. Furlong Watt & Galvin General Attorney 110 Chestnut Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903 BY: Milhollan, Chairman; Dunne, Morris, Vacca, and Heilman, Board Members On March 13, 1985, an immigration judge found the respondent deportable as charged on the basis of his concessions at the hearing under section 241(aX4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. §125.1 (a)(4) (1982), as an alien who was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within 5 years of entry and 6.37 Interim Decision #3059 was sentenced to confinement for 1 year or more, denied his applications for relief under section 212(c) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1182 (c) (1982), and for voluntary departure under section 244(e) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1254 (e) (1982), and ordered him deported to the Dominican Republic. That same day, the respondent filed a Notice of Appeal (Form I-290A), indicating that he would be filing a separate written brief or statement in support of his appeal. No such brief or statement was forthcoming. On July 8, 1986, over a year after the immigration judge had entered his decision in the case, the Board summarily dismissed the appeal, noting that the respondent had in no meaningful manner identified the claimed error in the immigration judge's comprehensive decision of March 13, 1985. On January 20, 1987, the respondent, through present counsel,' filed a motion to reopen the proceedings, alleging (1) that prior counsel's failure to submit a written brief or statement explaining the basis for appeal constituted ineffective assistance of counsel and (2) that the immigration judge erred as a matter of law and discretion in deciding the case. The respondent also filed a petition for review of the Board's decision with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The court has stayed action on. the petition for review pending the Board's resolution of the motion to reopen. The motion will be denied. Any right a respondent in deportation proceedings may have to counsel is grounded in the fifth amendment guarantee of due process. Magallanes-Damian v. INS, 783 F.2d 931 (9th Cir. 1986); Paul v. INS, 521 F.2d 194 (5th Cir- 1975). Ineffective assistance of counsel in a deportation proceeding is a denial of due process only if the proceeding was so fundamentally unfair that the alien was prevented from reasonably presenting his case. Ramirez-Durazo v. INS, 794 F.2d 491 (9th Cir. 1986); Lopez v. INS, 775 F.2d 1015 (9th Cir. 1985); see also Magallanes-Damian v. INS, supra (alien must show not merely ineffective assistance of counsel, but assistance which is so ineffective as to have impinged upon the fundamental fairness of the hearing in -violation of the fifth amendment due process clause). One must show, moreover, that he was prejudiced by his representative's performance. Mohsseni Behbahani v. INS, 796 F.2d 249 (9th Cir. 1986). See generally Matter of Santos, 19 I&N Dec. 105 (BIA 1984). The Government maintains that the fact that prior counsel did not submit a brief does not in itself amount to deprivation of due process. We agree. The record before the Board does not contain counsel's Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative (Form G-28). — 638 — Interim Decision #3059 Failure to specify reasons for an appeal is grounds for summary dismissal under 8 C.F.R. § 3.1 (d)(1-aXi) (1988). See generally Matter of Valencia, 19 I&N Dec. 354 (131A 1986). It would be anomalous to hold that the same action or, more accurately, inaction that gives rise to a summary dismissal of an appeal could, without more, serve as the basis of a motion to reopen. To allow such anomaly would permit an alien to circumvent at will the appeals process, with its regulatory time constraints, by the simple expedient of failing to properly pursue his appeal rights, then claiming ineffective assistance of counsel. Litigants are generally bound by the conduct of their attorneys, absent egregious circumstances. LeBlanc v. INS, 715 F.2d 685 (1st Cir. 1983). No such egregious circumstances have been established in this case. A motion based upon a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel should be supported by an affidavit of the allegedly aggrieved respondent attesting to the relevant facts. In the case before us, that affidavit should include a statement that sets forth in detail the agreement that was entered into with former counsel with respect to the actions to be taken on appeal and what counsel did or did not represent to the respondent in this regard. Furthermore, before allegations of ineffective assistance of former counsel are presented to the Board, former counsel must be informed of the allegations and allowed the opportunity to respond. Any subsequent response from counsel, or report of counsel's failure or refusal to respond, should be submitted with the motion. Finally, if it is asserted that prior counsel's handling of the case involved a violation of ethical or legal responsibilities, the motion should reflect whether a complaint has been filed with appropriate disciplinary authorities regarding such representation, and if not, why not. The high standard announced here is necessary if we are to have a basis for assessing the substantial number of claims of ineffective assistance of counsel that come before the Board. Where essential information is lacking, it is impossible to evaluate the substance of such claim. In the-iri-stant-case;-for-example, the-respondent has not alleged, let alone established, that former counsel ever agreed to prepare a brief on appeal or was engaged to undertake the task. Then, too, the potential for abuse is apparent where no mechanism exists for allowing former counsel, whose integrity or competence is being impugned, to present his version of events if he so chooses, thereby discouraging baseless allegations. The requirement that disciplinary authorities he notified of breaches of professional conduct not only serves to deter meritless claims of ineffective representation but also highlights the standards which should be expected of attorneys who represent persons in immigration proceedings, — 639 — Interim Decision #3059 the outcome of which may, and often does, have enormous significance for the person. The respondent's motion is wholly insufficient in light of the foregoing guidelines. We note, moreover, that no prejudice was shown to have resulted from prior counsel's failure to or decision not to file a brief in support of the appeal. The respondent received a full and fair hearing at which he was given every opportunity to present his case. We do not find, and the respondent does not allege, any inadequacy in the quality of prior counsel's representation at the hearing. The immigration judge considered and properly evaluated all the evidence presented, and his conclusions that the respondent did not merit a grant of section 212(c) relief as a matter of discretion and that he was ineligible for voluntary departure as a matter of law are supported by the record. The allegations of error ascribed to the immigration judge in the respondent's motion are unfounded. Contrary to present counsel's contention, it is clear from the transcript of hearing and the immigration judge's decision that the immigration judge was well aware that the respondent committed the offense of obtaining money under false pretenses several years prior to his conviction of that offense. And contrary to counsel's contention, the immigration judge correctly determined that the respondent was not eligible for a grant of voluntary departure. By the express terms of section 244(e) of the Act, an alien deportable under section 241(a)(4) of the Act is ineligible for voluntary departure unless he qualifies under the provisions of section 244(a)(2) of the Act, which in the case of criminal offenders requires, inter alia, that the alien have been physically present in this country, and a person of good moral character, for a continuous period of not less than 10 years following his conviction. See generally Matter of 13—, 6 I&N Dec. 788 (BIA 1955). The 10 -year period is measured from the date of conviction, not the date the offense was committed, since it is the conviction, not the commission of the offense, that renders the alien deportable. Id. Since 10 years from the date of the conviction constituting the ground of deportation have not yet elapsed, the respondent is unable to demonstrate statutory eligibility for voluntary departure. The respondent has shown no basis for reopening or reconsideration.. His motion will be denied. ORDER: The motion is denied. — 640 —