Harvey Salazar v. Loretta E. Lynch

MEMORANDUM

Harvey Antonio Salazar petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’s (“BIA”) dismissal of his appeal from the Immigration Judge’s (“IJ”) order of removal. We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C. § 1252 (a)(1).

Salazar argues the government failed to prove his conviction under California Health & Safety Code § 11352(a) was for a crime “relating to a controlled substance” so as to render him removable. See Mielewczyk v. Holder, 575 F.3d 992, 994-95 (9th Cir.2009). We review the IJ’s decision because the BIA adopted that decision without expressing disagreement with it. See Moreno-Morante v. Gonzales, 490 F.3d 1172, 1174 (9th Cir.2007). The IJ correctly applied the modified categorical approach and correctly held the criminal information in Salazar’s case, Salazar’s plea agreement, and the trial court’s register proved Salazar was convicted of offering to transport cocaine, which is a crime “relating to a controlled substance.” Mielewczyk, 575 F.3d at 995-96 ; 21 C.F.R. § 1308.12 (b)(4). Salazar was therefore removable. Mielewczyk, 575 F.3d at 998-99 .

' Salazar also argues the BIA abused its discretion in denying his motion to remand to the IJ to assert an…