md95065

An unusual twist on the usual illegal immigrant stories ...

An American citizen from Utah who preferred deportation to jail pretended to be an illegal immigrant when he was charged with a drug offense ...

Bob

Probably not a bad plan...prisons would probably have been nicer...

S Folinsky

A somewhat famous case from 2004 was Rivera v Ashcroft.

md95065

What was the eventual outcome for Rivera?

S Folinsky

IJ Ho appears to hold the record for getting dinged by name before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. By and by, she moved from Seattle to Los Angeles. IMHO, Rivera is one of those cases where the IJ was justified in what she did but made a lot of intemperate comments. IJ Ho has taken the chastisements to heart and has become a pretty fair judge. [She has actually been well liked by members of the Bar].

I haven't followed up on Rivera for over five years. My understanding is that he has not returned to the United States -- apparently out of his own choice.

I feel that IJ Ho should have terminated without prejudice.