by Norton Tooby

     The Third Edition of AGGRAVATED FELONIES was published on March 1, 2006 and is updated monthly on these pages.

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Summary Table of Contents
Click the sections listed below to view recent case law pertinent to each section respectively.
See the Detailed Table of Contents (pdf) to view all section headings for this book.

Chapter 1 : Introduction

§ 1.1	I. Importance of the Topic
§ 1.4	B. History of Expansion of the Term

Chapter 2 : Immigration Consequences

§ 2.1	I. Introduction
§ 2.2	II. Adjustment of Status
§ 2.3	III. Cancellation of Removal
§ 2.4	A. For Lawful Permanent Residents
§ 2.5	B. For Non-Lawful Permanent Residents
§ 2.6	C. Continuous Presence and the Stop-Time Rule
§ 2.7	IV. Consular Processing
§ 2.8	V. Convention Against Torture
§ 2.9	VI. Deferred Action Status (Prosecutorial Discretion)
§ 2.11	VIII. Detention
§ 2.12	IX. Expedited Removal and Special Removal Proceedings for Noncitizens in Prison
§ 2.13	X. Family Unity
§ 2.14	XI. Good Moral Character Ineligibility
§ 2.15	XII. Illegal Re-entry
§ 2.18	B. After Deportation
§ 2.19	XIV. Judicial Review Limitations
§ 2.20	XV. Legalization
§ 2.21	A. Amnesty Program
§ 2.22	B. Special Agricultural Workers
§ 2.23	XVI. NACARA Relief
§ 2.24	XVII. Naturalization and Citizenship
§ 2.25	XVIII. Non-Immigrant Visas
§ 2.26	A. "S" Visa - Temporary and Permanent Status for Witnesses and Informants
§ 2.28	C. "U" Visa - Temporary and Permanent Status for Crime Victims and Witnesses
§ 2.29	XIX. Parole
§ 2.30	XX. Political Asylum
§ 2.31	A. In General
§ 2.32	B. American Baptist Church (ABC) Settlement
§ 2.33	XXI. Private Bill in Congress
§ 2.35	XXIII. Reinstatement of Removal or Deportation Order
§ 2.36	XXIV. Suspension of Deportation
§ 2.37	XXV. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
§ 2.38	XXVI. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
§ 2.39	XXVII. Voluntary Departure
§ 2.40	A. Before Removal Proceedings Begin
§ 2.41	B. During Removal Proceedings
§ 2.42	C. At End of Removal Proceedings
§ 2.43	D. After Removal Proceedings
§ 2.44	XXVIII. Waiver Under Former INA 212(c)
§ 2.45	XXIX. Waiver of Inadmissibility Under INA 212(h)
§ 2.46	XXX. Waivers - Other Waivers
§ 2.47	XXXI. Withholding of Removal

Chapter 3 : Elements of the Deportation Ground

§ 3.1	I. Introduction
§ 3.2	II. Elements of the Aggravated Felony Deportation Ground
§ 3.3	A. Alienage
§ 3.4	1. United States Citizens
§ 3.5	2. Nationals of the United States
§ 3.6	3. American Indians Born in Canada
§ 3.7	B. Conviction
§ 3.8	C. Conviction Must be for a Crime
§ 3.9	D. After the Effective Date
§ 3.11	1. Statutory Definition of "Admission"
§ 3.12	2. Any Admission
§ 3.13	3. Adjustment as Admission
§ 3.14	4. Returning LPRs Seeking Admission
§ 3.18	3. Substantive Offenses
§ 3.20	H. Violation of the Law of a Listed Jurisdiction
§ 3.23	b. State Convictions
§ 3.24	c. Foreign Convictions
§ 3.25	i. Foreign Conviction Date
§ 3.26	ii. Special Rules for Foreign Limitation Convictions
§ 3.28	a. Violations of Local Law
§ 3.29	b. Violations of Indian Tribal Law
§ 3.30	c. Convictions Under Military Law
§ 3.32	A. Statutory Definition of "Conviction"
§ 3.33	B. Dispositions That Do Not Constitute Convictions
§ 3.34	1. Deferred Prosecution
§ 3.35	2. Deferred Verdict
§ 3.36	3. Deferred Sentence
§ 3.37	4. Defective Convictions
§ 3.40	E. Conviction by Court of Competent Jurisdiction
§ 3.41	F. Juvenile Adjudications
§ 3.42	G. Convictions in Absentia
§ 3.43	H. Finality of Conviction
§ 3.44	1. Direct Appeal
§ 3.47	I. Post-Conviction Relief from Conviction
§ 3.48	IV. Unlisted Non-Substantive Offenses
§ 3.49	A. Accessory After the Fact
§ 3.50	B. Aiding and Abetting
§ 3.53	E. Solicitation
§ 3.55	V. Aggravated Felony Sentences
§ 3.56	A. Classification of Aggravated Felonies Based on Sentence
§ 3.57	B. Aggravated Felonies Based on Felony Level of Offense
§ 3.59	2. Felony Requirement for Crimes of Violence Under 18 U.S.C. 16(b)
§ 3.60	3. Felony Requirement for Drug Trafficking Aggravated Felonies
§ 3.61	C. Offenses that are Aggravated Felonies Only if 1 Year Sentence is Imposed
§ 3.62	1. Definition of Sentence Imposed

Chapter 4 : Analysis of an Aggravated Felony

§ 4.1	I. Basic Analysis of Whether a Conviction Constitutes an Aggravated Felony
§ 4.2	II. Categorical Analysis
§ 4.3	A. Essential Elements of the Offense
§ 4.4	1. Statutory Elements
§ 4.5	2. Elements As Defined by Judicial Decisions
§ 4.6	3. Resisting Exceptions to Categorical Analysis
§ 4.7	B. Minimum Conduct Necessary to Violate the Statute
§ 4.8	III. Divisible Statutes
§ 4.9	A. Divisibility Analysis - When Does It Apply?
§ 4.10	1. Discrete Subsections
§ 4.11	2. Disjunctive Statutes
§ 4.12	3. Target Offenses
§ 4.13	B. Divisibility Analysis - When It Does Not Apply
§ 4.14	IV. Record of Conviction
§ 4.15	A. Existence vs. Nature of Conviction
§ 4.16	B. Limitation to Record of Conviction
§ 4.17	C. Elements vs. Facts
§ 4.18	1. Rationale for Ignoring the Facts
§ 4.19	2. Application
§ 4.20	3. Foreign Offenses
§ 4.21	D. Documents Included
§ 4.22	1. Charging Papers
§ 4.23	2. Factual Basis and Admissions
§ 4.24	3. Judgment
§ 4.25	4. Jury Verdict
§ 4.26	5. Plea and Plea Agreement
§ 4.27	6. Other Documents Included
§ 4.29	1. Dismissed Counts
§ 4.30	2. Police Reports
§ 4.31	3. Probation and Presentence Reports
§ 4.32	4. Other Documents Excluded
§ 4.33	V. General Considerations
§ 4.35	1. Definition Under Federal Statutes
§ 4.36	2. General or Common Law Definitions
§ 4.37	B. "Related to" Language
§ 4.39	D. Effects of State Law
§ 4.40	E. Immigration vs. Sentencing Contexts
§ 4.41	F. All Reasonable Doubts Favor the Noncitizen

Chapter 5 : Aggravated Felony Categories

§ 5.1	. Definitions of Specific Aggravated Felony Offenses
§ 5.2	. Accessory After the Fact
§ 5.3	. Aiding and Abetting
§ 5.4	. Alien Harboring
§ 5.5	. Alien Smuggling
§ 5.7	. Attempt
§ 5.10	. Burglary
§ 5.11	. Child Pornography
§ 5.12	. Conspiracy
§ 5.13	. Counterfeiting
§ 5.14	. Crimes of Violence
§ 5.15	1. Statutory Definition of Both Prongs
§ 5.16	2. Sentence Imposed Requirement
§ 5.17	3. 18 U.S.C. 16(a)
§ 5.18	a. Element of Force
§ 5.19	b. Use, Threat, or Attempt
§ 5.20	c. Violent Physical Force
§ 5.21	d. Against Person or Property of Another
§ 5.22	e. Intent Element
§ 5.23	4. 18 U.S.C. 16(b)
§ 5.24	a. Felony Conviction
§ 5.25	b. By its Nature
§ 5.26	c. Involves a Substantial Risk
§ 5.27	d. Violent Physical Force Another
§ 5.31	h. Intent Element
§ 5.32	5. Political Offense Exception
§ 5.33	6. Specific Crimes
§ 5.36	. Document Fraud
§ 5.37	. Drug Trafficking
§ 5.38	1. Elements of Both Prongs
§ 5.39	2. Felony Requirement
§ 5.40	a. Simple Possession
§ 5.41	b. Other Cases
§ 5.42	3. Listed Controlled Substance
§ 5.43	4. Commercial Element
§ 5.44	5. Federal Analogue
§ 5.45	6. Non-Substantive Offenses
§ 5.47	. Failure To Appear in Court
§ 5.48	1. To Face Charges
§ 5.51	1. Firearms Trafficking
§ 5.52	2. Other Firearms Offenses
§ 5.53	. Forgery
§ 5.54	. Fraud
§ 5.55	1. Nature of the Offense
§ 5.56	2. Loss to the Victim(s)
§ 5.57	. Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation
§ 5.58	. Kidnapping/Extortion
§ 5.59	. Misprision of a Felony
§ 5.60	. Money Laundering
§ 5.63	. Obstruction of Justice
§ 5.65	. Prostitution
§ 5.66	. Rape
§ 5.70	. Sexual Abuse of a Minor
§ 5.71	1. Sexual Element
§ 5.72	2. Abuse Element
§ 5.73	3. Proof of Age
§ 5.74	4. As a Crime of Violence
§ 5.75	. Solicitation
§ 5.76	. Statutory Rape
§ 5.77	. Tax Evasion
§ 5.78	. Theft
§ 5.79	. Vehicles With ID Numbers Removed - Trafficking

Chapter 6 : Post-Conviction Relief

§ 6.1	I. Introduction
§ 6.2	II. Elimination of a Conviction
§ 6.3	A. Vacating the Conviction as Legally Invalid
§ 6.4	1. A Conviction Vacated as Legally Invalid Causes No Immigration Damage
§ 6.6	3. Matter of Pickering
§ 6.7	4. Full Faith and Credit
§ 6.8	5. Analyzing Convictions Vacated on Immigration-Related Grounds
§ 6.10	7. Grounds for Vacating a Plea
§ 6.11	B. State and Federal Rehabilitative Relief
§ 6.12	1. General Rule
§ 6.13	2. Federal First Offender Act Exception
§ 6.14	3. Ninth Circuit Exception
§ 6.15	C. Judicial Recommendation Against Deportation
§ 6.16	D. Pardon
§ 6.17	1. Determination of Whether a Pardon Exists
§ 6.18	2. Foreign Pardons
§ 6.24	IV. Vacating or Modifying Sentence
§ 6.27	C. Reducing Sentence
§ 6.29	V. Reopening Proceedings After Post-Conviction Relief
§ 6.30	A. Removal Proceedings

Appendices

Appendix A: Category Case Index

Appendix B: Crime Case Index

Appendix C: Aggravated Felony Checklist

Appendix D: Evolution of the Aggravated Felony Statute

Appendix E: Checklist of Federal Drug Offenses

Appendix F: Non-Substantive Offenses