Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants



 
 

§ 7.25 4. A State First-Offense Controlled Substances Possession Conviction Must Be a Felony in Order to Be Considered an Aggravated Felony

 
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A state court conviction of simple possession of a controlled substance is generally considered an aggravated felony for immigration purposes,[79] and for illegal re-entry sentencing purposes,[80] if it is a felony, but not if it is a misdemeanor conviction.  See (A), infra.  Note the exception to this rule in the Second, Third, and Ninth Circuits, in which a state felony conviction of possession of a controlled substance does not constitute an aggravated felony conviction, for removal purposes, unless it would have been a felony if prosecuted in federal court.  See (B), infra.


[79] Matter of Yanez, 23 I. & N. Dec. 390, 394 (BIA 2002) (en banc).

[80] United States v. Ibarra-Galindo, 206 F.3d 1337 (9th Cir. 2000).

 

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