ZHENG v. GARLAND (2021)

SUMMARY ORDER

Petitioner Sun Won Zheng, a native and citizen of the People's Republic of China, seeks review of a July 25, 2019 decision of the BIA denying his motion to reopen Zheng's exclusion proceedings. In re Sun Won Zheng, No. A072 216 761 (B.I.A. July 25, 2019). We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history.

We review the BIA's denial of a motion to reopen for abuse of discretion. See Jian Hui Shao v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 138, 168-69 (2d Cir. 2008). Before the BIA, Zheng argued that the time limitation for filing his motion to reopen should be tolled due to the ineffective assistance of his former counsel and that his exclusion proceedings should be reopened to permit him to apply for certain forms of relief.

It is undisputed that Zheng's 2018 motion to reopen was untimely because he filed it more than 20 years after his exclusion and deportation order became final in 1997. See 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(c)(7)(C)(i) (providing 90-day deadline for motions to reopen); 8 C.F.R. § 1003.2(c)(2) (same). The BIA did not err in declining to equitably toll the period for Zheng to file his motion based on his claim that his former attorney was ineffective in his underlying exclusion proceedings because Zheng failed to exercise due diligence during the more than 20 years that passed between his order of exclusion and his motion to reopen. See Rashid v. Mukasey, 533 F.3d 127, 131 (2d Cir. 2008); Jian Hua Wang v. BIA, 508 F.3d 710, 715 (2d Cir. 2007).

Because Zheng did not demonstrate that the time limitation applicable to his motion should be excused, “his motion to reopen could only be considered upon exercise of the [BIA's] sua sponte authority.” Mahmood v. Holder, 570 F.3d 466, 469 (2d Cir. 2009). We lack jurisdiction to review the agency's “entirely discretionary” decision declining to reopen proceedings sua sponte and dismiss the petition to that extent. Ali v. Gonzales, 448 F.3d 515, 518 (2d Cir. 2006).

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For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED in part and DISMISSED in part. All pending motions and applications are DENIED and stays VACATED.