Case Summary
**Case Summary: Fermin Mejia Hernandez v. Eric Holder, Jr. (Docket No. 2600964)**
**Court:** United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
**Decided:** [Insert Date]
**Background:**
Fermin Mejia Hernandez, a native of Mexico, sought relief from deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) following his conviction for a crime deemed to be an aggravated felony. He appealed against a decision made by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirming the immigration judge's order of removal. Mejia Hernandez argued that he had been denied the opportunity to present a case for cancellation of removal and that the BIA erred in its determination regarding his eligibility.
**Legal Issues:**
1. Whether Mejia Hernandez was eligible for cancellation of removal based on his residency and family ties in the United States.
2. Whether the BIA correctly applied the legal standards for evaluating cancellation of removal requests.
3. Whether procedural errors occurred during the immigration proceedings that violated Mejia Hernandez’s due process rights.
**Arguments:**
- **For Mejia Hernandez:** The appellant contended that the BIA failed to consider critical evidence concerning his length of residency, his character references, and the impact of his deportation on his U.S. citizen children. He argued that these factors warranted a favorable exercise of discretion in his case.
- **For the Respondent (Eric Holder, Jr.):** The government maintained that Mejia Hernandez’s aggravated felony conviction rendered him ineligible for cancellation of removal. The BIA’s decision was presented as being consistent with established immigration law and procedures.
**Decision:**
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed the BIA's decision under the standard of substantial evidence. The court affirmed the BIA's ruling, finding that Mejia Hernandez did not meet the statutory requirements for cancellation of removal due to his aggravated felony status. Additionally, the court determined that any procedural errors claimed did not result in prejudice that would have affected the outcome of the case.
**Conclusion:**
The appeal by Fermin Mejia Hernandez was denied, and the removal order was upheld. The decision reinforced the principle that criminal convictions can significantly affect eligibility for immigration relief, particularly concerning aggravated felonies. The case also underscored the importance of adherence to procedural standards in immigration matters.
**Note:** Please insert specific dates and details as they pertain to the case for full accuracy.