Richards v. Sessions

SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Ricardo Andre Richards, a native and citizen of Jamaica, seeks review of a June 3, 2015 decision of the BIA, affirming a February 26, 2015 decision of an Immigration Judge (“U”) ordering Richards removed to Jamaica. In re Ricardo Andre Richards, No. A042 854 612 (B.I.A. June 3, 2015), aff'g No. A042 854 612 (Immig. Ct. Napanoch, N.Y. Feb. 26, 2015). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the facts and record of the prior proceedings, to which we refer only as necessary to explain our decision to deny the petition.

On appeal, Richards challenges the BIA’s holding that he was convicted for two New York offenses that constitute crimes involving moral turpitude (“CIMTs”). See 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(A)(ii). We defer to the BIA’s reasonable interpretations of the meaning of “moral turpitude” and review de novo the BIA’s interpretation of the elements of New York’s criminal laws. Gill v. I.N.S., 420 F.3d 82, 89 (2d Cir. 2005).

Richards first argues that third-degree assault, N.Y. Penal Law § 120.00(1), is categorically not a CIMT because a conviction can result from a “minor” injury caused by a “slight” amount of force. But § 120.00(1) requires a specific intent to cause “physical injury” that is more than a mere technical battery. See N.Y. Penal Law § 10.00(9); People v. Henderson, 92 N.Y.2d 677, 680, 685 N.Y.S.2d 409, 708 N.E.2d 165 (1999); Matter of Philip A., 49 N.Y.2d 198, 200, 424 N.Y.S.2d 418, 400 N.E.2d 358 (1980). We therefore defer to the BIA’s reasonable view that a conviction under § 120.00(1), requiring proof of an intentional assault meant to cause more than de minimis physical harm, constitutes a CIMT. See Matter of Solon, 24 I. & N. Dec. 239, 245 (B.I.A. 2007).

Richards next argues that second-degree menacing, N.Y. Penal Law § 120.14(1), is categorically not a CIMT.¹ Here again, we defer to the BIA’s contrary conclusion. Richards’ argument that second-degree menacing is a general intent crime misreads the statute, which requires “intentionally placing] or attempt[ing] to place another person in reasonable fear of physical injury....” N.Y. Penal Law § 120.14(1). New York courts construe this language to require a specific intent to cause fear of injury. See People v. Bartkow, 96 N.Y.2d 770, 772, 725 N.Y.S.2d 589, 749 N.E.2d 158 (2001); People v. Bryant, 13 A.D.3d 1170, 787 N.Y.S.2d 540, 541-42 (4th Dep’t 2004). Richards further argues that § 120.14(1) cannot categorically be a CIMT because the use of an object that only appears to be a firearm is not a sufficient aggravating factor. The BIA disagreed, noting that § 120.14(1) requires a specific intent to make the victim fear physical harm from the use of a deadly weapon, whether or not the displayed weapon is real. Because New York courts require that the defendant display an object that could reasonably be perceived as a real firearm, see People v. Lopez, 73 N.Y.2d 214, 220, 538 N.Y.S.2d 788, 535 N.E.2d 1328 (1989); People v. Colon, 116 A.D.3d 1234, 984 N.Y.S.2d 438, 440-41, 443 (3d Dep’t 2014), the BIA’s conclusion—that use of a fake firearm constitutes a sufficient aggravating factor—is permissible and therefore deserves deference, see Gill, 420 F.3d at 89.

Finally, we reject Richards’ argument that the BIA erred in relying on Matter of Silva-Trevino, 24 I. & N. Dec. 687 (A.G. 2008) (“Silva-Trevino I”). The agency relied only on Silva-Trevino I’s definition of a CIMT as “involv[ing] both reprehensible conduct and some degree of scienter,” and the decision vacating Silva-Trevino I expressly preserved this definition. Matter of Silva-Trevino, 26 I. & N. Dec. 550, 553 n.3 (A.G. 2015); see also Matter of Silva-Trevino, 26 I. & N. Dec. 826, 828 n.2 (B.I.A. 2016).

We have considered Richards’ remaining arguments and conclude that they are without merit. For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED.

1 . Richards has abandoned any challenge to the BIA’s conclusion that New York Penal Law §§ 120.14(2) and (3) are CIMTs. Yueqing Zhang v. Gonzales, 426 F.3d 540, 545 n.7 (2d Cir. 2005); see also Gross v, Rell, 585 F,3d 72, 95 (2d Cir. 2009).