Guo Qiang Ye v. Holder

MEMORANDUM *

Guo Qiang Ye, a citizen of China, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ dismissal of his appeal of an immigration judge’s decision denying his application for adjustment of status.

When an alien marries a U.S. citizen during removal proceedings and seeks adjustment of status, the immigration judge may investigate the bona fides of the marriage even if the government already has approved the 1-130 visa application. An immigration judge has authority over applications for relief under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1255 . 8 C.F.R. §§ 1240.1 (a)(l)(ii), 1245.2(a)(1). An 1-130 visa does not automatically establish the bona fides of a marriage in the context of removal proceedings. See Agyeman v. INS, 296 F.3d 871, 879 (9th Cir.2002) (‘While an [approved] I 130 establishes eligibility for status, the Attorney General—or in the context of deportation proceedings, the IJ—must still decide to accord the status.” (emphasis added)).

“This court retains jurisdiction over petitions for review that raise colorable constitutional claims or questions of law.” Bazua-Cota v. Gonzales, 466 F.3d 747, 748 (9th Cir.2006) (citing 8…