Vasquez-Atempa

Vasquez-Atempa v. Ashcroft

Good Law
81 F. App'x 256
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitNovember 18, 2003No. 02-70359; BIA No. A78-241-324California240 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Samuel Vasquez-Atempa, a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of the summary affirmance by the Board of Immigration Appeals of the denial by an Immigration Judge of his application for cancellation of removal on the ground that his 1993 conviction for evading a police officer while driving under the influence, in violation of California Vehicle Code §§ 2800.2 and 23152(b), was a crime of moral turpitude. We deny the petition for review.

Even though driving under the influence is not a crime of moral turpitude, eluding the police while driving under the influence is different because it involves other criminal conduct that is contrary to accepted moral standards. See Hernandez-Martinez v. Ashcroft, 329 F.3d 1117, 1118-19 (9th Cir.2003); Matter of Lopez-Meza, 22 I. & N. Dec. 1188 (B.I.A.1999). A § 2800.2 conviction evinces intent to evade law enforcement and jeopardize the safety of persons and property. See People v. Dewey, 42 Cal.App.4th 216, 221-22 , 49 Cal. Rptr.2d 537 (1996). Thus, considering only the statutory definition and the nature of the crime itself, Grageda v. INS, 12 F.3d 919, 921 (9th Cir.1993); Goldeshtein v. United States, 8 F.3d 645,…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.