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STATES COURT OF APPEALS","paragraph_id":"para_2"},{"text":"FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT","paragraph_id":"para_3"},{"text":"___________","paragraph_id":"para_4"},{"text":"No. 20-1273","paragraph_id":"para_5"},{"text":"__________","paragraph_id":"para_6"},{"text":"VICTOR SASAY, a/k/a Victor Sesay, a/k/a Hermes Herrera-","paragraph_id":"para_7"},{"text":"Cuba,","paragraph_id":"para_8"},{"text":"Petitioner","paragraph_id":"para_9"},{"text":"v.","paragraph_id":"para_10"},{"text":"ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF","paragraph_id":"para_11"},{"text":"AMERICA","paragraph_id":"para_12"},{"text":"____________________________________","paragraph_id":"para_13"},{"text":"On Petition for Review of a Final Order of the","paragraph_id":"para_14"},{"text":"Board of Immigration Appeals","paragraph_id":"para_15"},{"text":"(A058-985-272)","paragraph_id":"para_16"},{"text":"Immigration Judge: Audra Behne","paragraph_id":"para_17"},{"text":"____________________________________","paragraph_id":"para_18"},{"text":"Argued September 22, 2020","paragraph_id":"para_19"},{"text":"Before: SMITH, Chief Judge, McKEE, and JORDAN Circuit","paragraph_id":"para_20"},{"text":"Judges","paragraph_id":"para_21"},{"text":"(Opinion filed: September 10, 2021)","paragraph_id":"para_22"},{"text":"___________","paragraph_id":"para_23"},{"text":"Benjamin J. Osorio, Esq.","paragraph_id":"para_24"},{"text":"Murray Osorio","paragraph_id":"para_25"},{"text":"4103 Chain Bridge Road","paragraph_id":"para_26"},{"text":"Suite 300","paragraph_id":"para_27"},{"text":"Fairfax, VA 22030","paragraph_id":"para_28"},{"text":"Mark A. Stevens, Esq. [ARGUED]","paragraph_id":"para_29"},{"text":"Clark Hill","paragraph_id":"para_30"},{"text":"1001 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.","paragraph_id":"para_31"},{"text":"2","paragraph_id":"para_32"},{"text":"Suite 1300 South","paragraph_id":"para_33","court_paragraph":2},{"text":"Washington, DC 20004","paragraph_id":"para_34"},{"text":"Counsel for Petitioner","paragraph_id":"para_35"},{"text":"Joseph H. Hunt, Assistant Attorney General","paragraph_id":"para_36"},{"text":"Cindy S. Ferrier, Assistant Director","paragraph_id":"para_37"},{"text":"Joseph A. O'Connell, Esq. [ARGUED]","paragraph_id":"para_38"},{"text":"United States Department of Justice","paragraph_id":"para_39"},{"text":"Office of Immigration Litigation","paragraph_id":"para_40"},{"text":"P.O. Box 878","paragraph_id":"para_41"},{"text":"Ben Franklin Station","paragraph_id":"para_42"},{"text":"Washington, DC 20044","paragraph_id":"para_43"},{"text":"Counsel for Respondent","paragraph_id":"para_44"},{"text":"___________","paragraph_id":"para_45"},{"text":"OPINION","paragraph_id":"para_46"},{"text":"___________","paragraph_id":"para_47"},{"text":"McKEE, Circuit Judge.","paragraph_id":"para_48"},{"text":"Victor Sasay petitions for review of the Board of","paragraph_id":"para_49"},{"text":"Immigration Appeals’ ruling that his conviction for aggravated","paragraph_id":"para_50"},{"text":"identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1) is a crime","paragraph_id":"para_51"},{"text":"involving moral turpitude (“CIMT”), thus making him","paragraph_id":"para_52"},{"text":"removable pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(A)(ii). Sasay","paragraph_id":"para_53"},{"text":"asserts that aggravated identity theft is not a CIMT because it","paragraph_id":"para_54"},{"text":"only criminalizes possession of another person’s identity","paragraph_id":"para_55"},{"text":"documents and does not require the use or the intent to use the","paragraph_id":"para_56"},{"text":"documents. For the reasons that follow, we will deny the","paragraph_id":"para_57"},{"text":"petition for review.","paragraph_id":"para_58"},{"text":"I.","paragraph_id":"para_59"},{"text":"A. Factual and Procedural History","paragraph_id":"para_60"},{"text":"Victor Sasay is a native and citizen of Sierra Leone. He","paragraph_id":"para_61"},{"text":"was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent","paragraph_id":"para_62"},{"text":"resident in 2007. In 2015, he was convicted of misdemeanor","paragraph_id":"para_63"},{"text":"credit card fraud under Virginia law1 and sentenced to 175","paragraph_id":"para_64"},{"text":"days’ imprisonment.2 In 2018, he was convicted in South","paragraph_id":"para_65"},{"text":"1 Va. Code § 18.2-195(3).","paragraph_id":"para_66"},{"text":"2 Appx. at 5–6.","paragraph_id":"para_67"},{"text":"3","paragraph_id":"para_68"},{"text":"Dakota of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft in","paragraph_id":"para_69","court_paragraph":3},{"text":"violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1) and sentenced to 24","paragraph_id":"para_70"},{"text":"months’ imprisonment.3 That conviction is the one at the","paragraph_id":"para_71"},{"text":"center of this dispute. It resulted from Sasay and his co-","paragraph_id":"para_72"},{"text":"defendants purchasing credit card numbers online and using","paragraph_id":"para_73"},{"text":"counterfeit access devices to acquire hundreds of credit and","paragraph_id":"para_74"},{"text":"debit cards from multiple stores across the Midwest.4","paragraph_id":"para_75"},{"text":"A noncitizen, lawful permanent resident is removable","paragraph_id":"para_76"},{"text":"when she or he is convicted of “two or more crimes involving","paragraph_id":"para_77"},{"text":"moral turpitude, not arising out of a single scheme of criminal","paragraph_id":"para_78"},{"text":"misconduct.”5 The Department of Homeland Security","paragraph_id":"para_79"},{"text":"concluded that both of Sasay’s convictions were CIMTs and","paragraph_id":"para_80"},{"text":"that they arose from separate criminal schemes. Accordingly,","paragraph_id":"para_81"},{"text":"DHS initiated removal proceedings. Sasay applied for several","paragraph_id":"para_82"},{"text":"forms of relief including asylum, withholding of removal,","paragraph_id":"para_83"},{"text":"protection under the Convention Against Torture, and","paragraph_id":"para_84"},{"text":"cancellation of removal.6","paragraph_id":"para_85"},{"text":"3 Id. at 6. Although Sasay was convicted of aiding and","paragraph_id":"para_86"},{"text":"abetting aggravated identity theft as opposed to aggravated","paragraph_id":"para_87"},{"text":"identity theft, we treat the commission of those crimes the","paragraph_id":"para_88"},{"text":"same when considering whether a criminal offense is a","paragraph_id":"para_89"},{"text":"CIMT. See 18 U.S.C. § 2(a) (“Whoever commits an offense","paragraph_id":"para_90"},{"text":"against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands,","paragraph_id":"para_91"},{"text":"induces, or procures its commission, is punishable as a","paragraph_id":"para_92"},{"text":"principal.”); Matter of F-, 6 I. & N. Dec. 783, 785 (BIA 1955)","paragraph_id":"para_93"},{"text":"(“While the legal distinction between principal and accessory","paragraph_id":"para_94"},{"text":"remains, an accessory before the fact is punishable in the","paragraph_id":"para_95"},{"text":"same fashion as the principle by reference to the definition of","paragraph_id":"para_96"},{"text":"the substantive offense and the penalty so imposed by the","paragraph_id":"para_97"},{"text":"statute.” (citations omitted)). We will therefore refer to","paragraph_id":"para_98"},{"text":"Sasay’s conviction as one of aggravated identity theft.","paragraph_id":"para_99"},{"text":"4 A.R. at 755. For the reasons we discuss below, we can","paragraph_id":"para_100"},{"text":"consider his plea agreement.","paragraph_id":"para_101"},{"text":"5 INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(ii), 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(A)(ii). See","paragraph_id":"para_102"},{"text":"Smith v. Att’y Gen., 983 F.3d 1206 (11th Cir. 2020).","paragraph_id":"para_103"},{"text":"6 Sasay did not appeal the denial of asylum, withholding of","paragraph_id":"para_104"},{"text":"removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture","paragraph_id":"para_105"},{"text":"to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Sasay appealed the","paragraph_id":"para_106"},{"text":"Immigration Judge’s denial of cancellation of removal to the","paragraph_id":"para_107"},{"text":"BIA, but he did not raise cancellation before this Court.","paragraph_id":"para_108"},{"text":"Appx. at 5 n.1; see also Petitioner’s Br. at 8.","paragraph_id":"para_109"},{"text":"4","paragraph_id":"para_110"},{"text":"Applying the so-called “categorical approach,” the","paragraph_id":"para_111","court_paragraph":4},{"text":"Immigration Judge concluded that both of Sasay’s convictions","paragraph_id":"para_112"},{"text":"were disqualifying CIMTs which did not arise from a single","paragraph_id":"para_113"},{"text":"scheme. The IJ reasoned that Sasay’s conviction for","paragraph_id":"para_114"},{"text":"aggravated identity theft in violation of § 1028A(a)(1) satisfied","paragraph_id":"para_115"},{"text":"the definition of a CIMT because it requires one to act","paragraph_id":"para_116"},{"text":"knowingly and it also requires one to act with fraudulent intent","paragraph_id":"para_117"},{"text":"or deceit.7","paragraph_id":"para_118"},{"text":"On appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, Sasay","paragraph_id":"para_119"},{"text":"conceded that his Virginia conviction constituted a CIMT and","paragraph_id":"para_120"},{"text":"that his two convictions did not arise from a single scheme.","paragraph_id":"para_121"},{"text":"However, he argued that his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C.","paragraph_id":"para_122"},{"text":"§ 1028A(a)(1) did not constitute a CIMT because the statute","paragraph_id":"para_123"},{"text":"“is categorically overbroad and indivisible, as the minimum","paragraph_id":"para_124"},{"text":"conduct required for a conviction under the statute is the mere","paragraph_id":"para_125"},{"text":"possession of someone else’s documents without lawful","paragraph_id":"para_126"},{"text":"authority.”8","paragraph_id":"para_127"},{"text":"The BIA affirmed the IJ’s decision that Sasay had","paragraph_id":"para_128"},{"text":"committed two qualifying CIMTs. The BIA concluded that §","paragraph_id":"para_129"},{"text":"1028A(a)(1) “require[d] that the possession be ‘during and in","paragraph_id":"para_130"},{"text":"relation to any felony violation enumerated in subsection (c),’","paragraph_id":"para_131"},{"text":"such that there must be proof of an intent to use the","paragraph_id":"para_132"},{"text":"identification unlawfully (and, indeed, feloniously).”9 It held","paragraph_id":"para_133"},{"text":"that “all conduct criminalized by this statute necessarily","paragraph_id":"para_134"},{"text":"involved dishonesty as an essential element.”10 This petition","paragraph_id":"para_135"},{"text":"for review followed. Although we reject the BIA’s","paragraph_id":"para_136"},{"text":"interpretation of § 1028A(a)(1), we will deny the petition and","paragraph_id":"para_137"},{"text":"hold that Sasay’s aggavated identify theft conviction is a","paragraph_id":"para_138"},{"text":"CIMT. In doing so, we apply the modified categorical","paragraph_id":"para_139"},{"text":"approach, consulting his plea agreement to ascertain which","paragraph_id":"para_140"},{"text":"alternative element—or here, which alternative felony","paragraph_id":"para_141"},{"text":"violation—formed the basis of his conviction. Sasay’s plea","paragraph_id":"para_142"},{"text":"agreement readily establishes that his conviction has as an","paragraph_id":"para_143"},{"text":"element the commission of bank fraud, in violation of § 18","paragraph_id":"para_144"},{"text":"U.S.C. § 1344. Because bank fraud categorically qualifies as a","paragraph_id":"para_145"},{"text":"7 A.R. at 678.","paragraph_id":"para_146"},{"text":"8 Appx. at 6 (internal citations and quotations omitted).","paragraph_id":"para_147"},{"text":"9 Id. (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1)).","paragraph_id":"para_148"},{"text":"10 Id.","paragraph_id":"para_149"},{"text":"5","paragraph_id":"para_150"},{"text":"CIMT, so too must Sasay’s aggravated identity theft","paragraph_id":"para_151","court_paragraph":5},{"text":"conviction.","paragraph_id":"para_152"},{"text":"B. Jurisdiction and Standard of Review","paragraph_id":"para_153"},{"text":"We have jurisdiction to review the BIA’s final removal","paragraph_id":"para_154"},{"text":"order pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a). There are statutory","paragraph_id":"para_155"},{"text":"exceptions to our jurisdiction to review final removal orders of","paragraph_id":"para_156"},{"text":"people convicted of a CIMT under § 1252(a)(2)(C). However,","paragraph_id":"para_157"},{"text":"they do not apply here because Sasay raises a question of law","paragraph_id":"para_158"},{"text":"under the § 1252(a)(2)(D) exception to (a)(2)(C).","paragraph_id":"para_159"},{"text":"When “the BIA issues a written decision on the merits,","paragraph_id":"para_160"},{"text":"we review its decision and not the decision of the IJ.”11 We","paragraph_id":"para_161"},{"text":"defer to the BIA’s definition of moral turpitude and whether a","paragraph_id":"para_162"},{"text":"crime can be categorized as a CIMT, as long as its","paragraph_id":"para_163"},{"text":"determination is reasonable and “based on a permissible","paragraph_id":"para_164"},{"text":"interpretation of the immigration statute.”12 However,","paragraph_id":"para_165"},{"text":"unpublished, non-precedential, BIA decisions issued by a","paragraph_id":"para_166"},{"text":"single member panel are not entitled to such deference.13 Our","paragraph_id":"para_167"},{"text":"review of the BIA’s interpretation of criminal statutes is de","paragraph_id":"para_168"},{"text":"novo.14","paragraph_id":"para_169"},{"text":"II. DISCUSSION","paragraph_id":"para_170"},{"text":"“A noncitizen is removable from the United States if he","paragraph_id":"para_171"},{"text":"has been ‘convicted of two or more crimes involving moral","paragraph_id":"para_172"},{"text":"turpitude, not arising out of a single scheme of criminal","paragraph_id":"para_173"},{"text":"misconduct.’”15 Sasay concedes that his conviction under","paragraph_id":"para_174"},{"text":"Virginia law qualifies but argues that his conviction under 18","paragraph_id":"para_175"},{"text":"U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1) does not.","paragraph_id":"para_176"},{"text":"11 Hernandez-Cruz v. Att’y Gen., 764 F.3d 281, 284 (3d Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_177"},{"text":"2014) (quoting Bautista v. Att’y Gen., 744 F.3d 54, 57 (3d","paragraph_id":"para_178"},{"text":"Cir. 2014)).","paragraph_id":"para_179"},{"text":"12 Larios v. Att’y Gen., 978 F.3d 62, 67 (3d Cir. 2020)","paragraph_id":"para_180"},{"text":"(quoting Mehboob v. Att’y Gen., 549 F.3d 272, 275 (3d Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_181"},{"text":"2008) (internal quotations omitted)).","paragraph_id":"para_182"},{"text":"13 Mahn v. Att’y Gen., 767 F.3d 170, 173 (3d Cir. 2014).","paragraph_id":"para_183"},{"text":"14 Hernandez-Cruz, 764 F.3d at 284.","paragraph_id":"para_184"},{"text":"15 Smith, 983 F.3d at 1210 (quoting 8 U.S.C. §","paragraph_id":"para_185"},{"text":"1227(a)(2)(A)(ii)).","paragraph_id":"para_186"},{"text":"6","paragraph_id":"para_187"},{"text":"The Supreme Court has instructed that we must apply","paragraph_id":"para_188","court_paragraph":6},{"text":"the so-called “categorical approach” to determine if a given","paragraph_id":"para_189"},{"text":"crime is a CIMT. That approach requires that we ignore a","paragraph_id":"para_190"},{"text":"petitioner’s actual conduct and instead “focus[] on the legal","paragraph_id":"para_191"},{"text":"question of what a conviction necessarily establishe[s].”16","paragraph_id":"para_192"},{"text":"This approach is, the Court has said, “[r]ooted in Congress’","paragraph_id":"para_193"},{"text":"specification of conviction, not conduct, as the trigger for","paragraph_id":"para_194"},{"text":"immigration consequences, [and] is [therefore] suited to the","paragraph_id":"para_195"},{"text":"realities of the [immigration] system.”17","paragraph_id":"para_196"},{"text":"To apply the categorical approach, we first review","paragraph_id":"para_197"},{"text":"“elements of the statute forming the basis of the defendant’s","paragraph_id":"para_198"},{"text":"conviction,”18 in order “to ascertain the least culpable conduct","paragraph_id":"para_199"},{"text":"hypothetically necessary to sustain a conviction under the","paragraph_id":"para_200"},{"text":"statute.”19 We then consider whether that conduct “fall[s]","paragraph_id":"para_201"},{"text":"within the scope of the ‘crime involving moral turpitude’","paragraph_id":"para_202"},{"text":"offense.”20 Sometimes, however, “[t]he simple fact of","paragraph_id":"para_203"},{"text":"conviction may not provide enough information to determine","paragraph_id":"para_204"},{"text":"whether” a defendant’s conviction is a CIMT.21 Specifically,","paragraph_id":"para_205"},{"text":"when a statute is divisible, meaning it “sets out one or more","paragraph_id":"para_206"},{"text":"elements of the offense in the alternative,”22 that statute","paragraph_id":"para_207"},{"text":"effectively creates several different crimes.23 And if some but","paragraph_id":"para_208"},{"text":"not all of the divisible statute’s alternative crimes qualify as a","paragraph_id":"para_209"},{"text":"CIMT, then “a court must determine which crime formed the","paragraph_id":"para_210"},{"text":"basis of the defendant’s conviction” using the modified","paragraph_id":"para_211"},{"text":"categorical approach.24","paragraph_id":"para_212"},{"text":"Under the modified approach, we may “consult a","paragraph_id":"para_213"},{"text":"limited class of documents . . . to determine which alternative","paragraph_id":"para_214"},{"text":"formed the basis of the defendant’s . . . conviction.”25 “[We]","paragraph_id":"para_215"},{"text":"can then do what the categorical approach demands: compare","paragraph_id":"para_216"},{"text":"16 Mellouli v. Lynch, 575 U.S. 798, 806 (2015) (emphasis in","paragraph_id":"para_217"},{"text":"original).","paragraph_id":"para_218"},{"text":"17 Id.","paragraph_id":"para_219"},{"text":"18 Descamps v. United States, 570 U.S. 254, 257 (2013).","paragraph_id":"para_220"},{"text":"19 Jean-Louis v. Att’y Gen., 582 F.3d 462, 471 (3d Cir. 2009).","paragraph_id":"para_221"},{"text":"20 Id. at 482 (citation omitted).","paragraph_id":"para_222"},{"text":"21 United States v. Gibbs, 656 F.3d 180, 186 (3d Cir. 2011).","paragraph_id":"para_223"},{"text":"22 Descamps, 570 U.S. at 257.","paragraph_id":"para_224"},{"text":"23 Id. at 263-64.","paragraph_id":"para_225"},{"text":"24 Id. at 263; see also Gibbs, 656 F.3d at 187.","paragraph_id":"para_226"},{"text":"25 Descamps, 570 U.S. at 254.","paragraph_id":"para_227"},{"text":"7","paragraph_id":"para_228"},{"text":"the elements of the crime of conviction (including the","paragraph_id":"para_229","court_paragraph":7},{"text":"alternative element used in the case) with the generic”","paragraph_id":"para_230"},{"text":"definition of the removable offense.26 When properly applied,","paragraph_id":"para_231"},{"text":"this modified categorical approach “acts not as an exception,","paragraph_id":"para_232"},{"text":"but instead a tool.”27","paragraph_id":"para_233"},{"text":"The modified approach clearly applies to § 1028A","paragraph_id":"para_234"},{"text":"because it incorporates several felonies enumerated in","paragraph_id":"para_235"},{"text":"subsection (c).28 Those felonies represent alternative elements","paragraph_id":"para_236"},{"text":"26 Id. at 257.","paragraph_id":"para_237"},{"text":"27 Id. at 263.","paragraph_id":"para_238"},{"text":"28 A “felony violation enumerated in subsection (c)” includes","paragraph_id":"para_239"},{"text":"any offense in violation of--","paragraph_id":"para_240"},{"text":"(1) section 641 (relating to theft of public","paragraph_id":"para_241"},{"text":"money, property, or re[co]rds), section","paragraph_id":"para_242"},{"text":"656 (relating to theft, embezzlement, or","paragraph_id":"para_243"},{"text":"misapplication by bank officer or employee),","paragraph_id":"para_244"},{"text":"or section 664 (relating to theft from employee","paragraph_id":"para_245"},{"text":"benefit plans);","paragraph_id":"para_246"},{"text":"(2) section 911 (relating to false personation of","paragraph_id":"para_247"},{"text":"citizenship);","paragraph_id":"para_248"},{"text":"(3) section 922(a)(6) (relating to false","paragraph_id":"para_249"},{"text":"statements in connection with the acquisition of","paragraph_id":"para_250"},{"text":"a firearm);","paragraph_id":"para_251"},{"text":"(4) any provision contained in this chapter","paragraph_id":"para_252"},{"text":"(relating to fraud and false statements), other","paragraph_id":"para_253"},{"text":"than this section or section 1028(a)(7);","paragraph_id":"para_254"},{"text":"(5) any provision contained in chapter 63","paragraph_id":"para_255"},{"text":"(relating to mail, bank, and wire fraud);","paragraph_id":"para_256"},{"text":"(6) any provision contained in chapter 69","paragraph_id":"para_257"},{"text":"(relating to nationality and citizenship);","paragraph_id":"para_258"},{"text":"(7) any provision contained in chapter 75","paragraph_id":"para_259"},{"text":"(relating to passports and visas);","paragraph_id":"para_260"},{"text":"(8) section 523 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act","paragraph_id":"para_261"},{"text":"(15 U.S.C. 6823) (relating to obtaining","paragraph_id":"para_262"},{"text":"customer information by false pretenses);","paragraph_id":"para_263"},{"text":"(9) section 243 or 266 of the Immigration and","paragraph_id":"para_264"},{"text":"Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1253 and 1306)","paragraph_id":"para_265"},{"text":"(relating to willfully failing to leave the United","paragraph_id":"para_266"},{"text":"States after deportation and creating a","paragraph_id":"para_267"},{"text":"counterfeit alien registration card);","paragraph_id":"para_268"},{"text":"8","paragraph_id":"para_269"},{"text":"for an aggravated identity theft conviction because a jury could","paragraph_id":"para_270","court_paragraph":8},{"text":"not convict a defendant under § 1028A(a)(1) without finding","paragraph_id":"para_271"},{"text":"each element of the underlying felony violation and","paragraph_id":"para_272"},{"text":"unanimously agreeing on that violation as the predicate felony","paragraph_id":"para_273"},{"text":"for an aggravated identify theft conviction.29 Accordingly, §","paragraph_id":"para_274"},{"text":"1028A is divisible and we must use the modified categorical","paragraph_id":"para_275"},{"text":"approach.","paragraph_id":"para_276"},{"text":"This approach permits us to consult Sasay’s plea","paragraph_id":"para_277"},{"text":"agreement to ascertain which alternative element of a crime he","paragraph_id":"para_278"},{"text":"committed. It is clear from that agreement that this plea","paragraph_id":"para_279"},{"text":"includes admission to conduct constituting the predicate felony","paragraph_id":"para_280"},{"text":"of bank fraud—an undeniable CIMT and a crime specifically","paragraph_id":"para_281"},{"text":"enumerated in § 1028A(c)(5).30 That, by itself is sufficient to","paragraph_id":"para_282"},{"text":"support the BIA’s ruling that Sasay’s 1028A(a)(1) conviction","paragraph_id":"para_283"},{"text":"constituted a CIMT because it requires fraudulent intent. The","paragraph_id":"para_284"},{"text":"Supreme Court’s pronouncement more than half a century ago","paragraph_id":"para_285"},{"text":"that “[f]raud is the touchstone by which this case should be","paragraph_id":"para_286"},{"text":"judged”31 ends our inquiry. Although the Court was there","paragraph_id":"para_287"},{"text":"addressing a different statute, it was nevertheless intepreting","paragraph_id":"para_288"},{"text":"(10) any provision contained in chapter 8 of title","paragraph_id":"para_289"},{"text":"II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8","paragraph_id":"para_290"},{"text":"U.S.C. 1321 et seq.) (relating to various","paragraph_id":"para_291"},{"text":"immigration offenses); or","paragraph_id":"para_292"},{"text":"(11) section 208, 811, 1107(b), 1128B(a), or","paragraph_id":"para_293"},{"text":"1632 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.","paragraph_id":"para_294"},{"text":"408, 1011, 1307(b), 1320a-7b(a), and 1383a)","paragraph_id":"para_295"},{"text":"(relating to false statements relating to programs","paragraph_id":"para_296"},{"text":"under the Act).","paragraph_id":"para_297"},{"text":"29 See Richardson v. United States, 526 U.S. 813, 817-22","paragraph_id":"para_298"},{"text":"(1999) (“A ‘violation’ is not simply an act or conduct; it is an","paragraph_id":"para_299"},{"text":"act or conduct that is contrary to law. That circumstance is","paragraph_id":"para_300"},{"text":"significant because the criminal law ordinarily entrusts a jury","paragraph_id":"para_301"},{"text":"with determining whether alleged conduct ‘violates’ the law.”","paragraph_id":"para_302"},{"text":"(citation omitted)); see also Gibbs, 656 F.3d at 186-88.","paragraph_id":"para_303"},{"text":"30A.R. at 755-56. A person is guilty of bank fraud if he:","paragraph_id":"para_304"},{"text":"“knowingly executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme or","paragraph_id":"para_305"},{"text":"artifice--(1) to defraud a financial institution; or (2) to obtain","paragraph_id":"para_306"},{"text":"any of the moneys, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other","paragraph_id":"para_307"},{"text":"property owned by, or under the custody or control of, a","paragraph_id":"para_308"},{"text":"financial institution.” 18 U.S.C. § 1344.","paragraph_id":"para_309"},{"text":"31 Jordan v. De George, 341 U.S. 223, 232 (1951).","paragraph_id":"para_310"},{"text":"9","paragraph_id":"para_311"},{"text":"the phrase “crime involving moral turpitude.” The Court there","paragraph_id":"para_312","court_paragraph":9},{"text":"held: “[t]he phrase ‘crime involving moral turpitude’ has","paragraph_id":"para_313"},{"text":"without exception been constructed to embrace fraudulent","paragraph_id":"para_314"},{"text":"conduct.”32","paragraph_id":"para_315"},{"text":"As noted earlier, Sasay claims his conviction does not","paragraph_id":"para_316"},{"text":"amount to a CIMT because under the broad reach of §","paragraph_id":"para_317"},{"text":"1028A(a)(1), he could be convicted of “mere possession of","paragraph_id":"para_318"},{"text":"someone else’s identity document without lawful authority.”33","paragraph_id":"para_319"},{"text":"According to him, a statute that criminalizes mere","paragraph_id":"para_320"},{"text":"unauthorized possession of documents cannot be morally","paragraph_id":"para_321"},{"text":"turpitudinous. The argument lacks even superficial appeal.","paragraph_id":"para_322"},{"text":"The statute does not criminalize mere possession of","paragraph_id":"para_323"},{"text":"certain items. His argument to the contrary ignores that the","paragraph_id":"para_324"},{"text":"more exacting statutory language requires that such","paragraph_id":"para_325"},{"text":"unauthorized possession be “during and in relation to any","paragraph_id":"para_326"},{"text":"felony” enumerated in subsection (c) of the statute. That","paragraph_id":"para_327"},{"text":"means that Sasay’s unauthorized possession of documents","paragraph_id":"para_328"},{"text":"aided and abetted certain felonies specifically listed in","paragraph_id":"para_329"},{"text":"subsection (c) by possessing the documents.","paragraph_id":"para_330"},{"text":"Sasay argues that we must ignore his specific conduct","paragraph_id":"para_331"},{"text":"because this statute is indivisible and therefore the categorical","paragraph_id":"para_332"},{"text":"approach applies. He then argues the minimum conduct","paragraph_id":"para_333"},{"text":"criminalized by § 1028A(a)(1) is the mere possession of an","paragraph_id":"para_334"},{"text":"unauthorized identity document, which cannot be a CIMT. As","paragraph_id":"para_335"},{"text":"we have just explained, the statute does not criminalize “mere”","paragraph_id":"para_336"},{"text":"possession or transfer. Rather, the possession and transfer","paragraph_id":"para_337"},{"text":"must be in relation to an enumerated felony. It is therefore","paragraph_id":"para_338"},{"text":"consequential that he admitted that his possession was","paragraph_id":"para_339"},{"text":"fraudulent during his plea colloquy, and he also admitted to","paragraph_id":"para_340"},{"text":"bank fraud.","paragraph_id":"para_341"},{"text":"A.","paragraph_id":"para_342"},{"text":"Section 1028A(a)(1) criminalizes transfer, use, or","paragraph_id":"para_343"},{"text":"possession in conjuction with one of the eleven categories of","paragraph_id":"para_344"},{"text":"crimes listed in subsection (c). The enumerated offenses","paragraph_id":"para_345"},{"text":"relevent to Sasay are included in (c)(5) and (c)(7), which refer","paragraph_id":"para_346"},{"text":"to offenses in violation of “(5) any provision contained in","paragraph_id":"para_347"},{"text":"32 Id.","paragraph_id":"para_348"},{"text":"33 Petitioner Br. at 8.","paragraph_id":"para_349"},{"text":"10","paragraph_id":"para_350"},{"text":"chapter 63 (relating to mail, bank, and wire fraud); . . . [and]","paragraph_id":"para_351","court_paragraph":10},{"text":"(7) any provision contained in chapter 75 (relating to passports","paragraph_id":"para_352"},{"text":"and visas) . . . .”34","paragraph_id":"para_353"},{"text":"In Matter of Serna, the BIA found that possession of an","paragraph_id":"para_354"},{"text":"altered identity document in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1546 (a","paragraph_id":"para_355"},{"text":"crime also enumerated in subsection (c)(7)) was not a CIMT.","paragraph_id":"para_356"},{"text":"35 Sasay seizes on that here, just as he did before the BIA. The","paragraph_id":"para_357"},{"text":"BIA properly distinguished Matter of Serna. The asylum","paragraph_id":"para_358"},{"text":"petitioner there had been convicted of possession of an altered","paragraph_id":"para_359"},{"text":"immigration document in violation of § 1546,36 and Sasay","paragraph_id":"para_360"},{"text":"correctly notes that that statute is included in the offenses","paragraph_id":"para_361"},{"text":"specified in subsection (c) as a predicate offense to violating §","paragraph_id":"para_362"},{"text":"1028A(a)(1).37 However, the analogy ends there. As the BIA","paragraph_id":"para_363"},{"text":"recognized, one can violate § 1546 simply by knowingly","paragraph_id":"para_364"},{"text":"possessing altered immigration documents and the statute does","paragraph_id":"para_365"},{"text":"not require that possession be accompanied by the intent to","paragraph_id":"para_366"},{"text":"defraud or another crime involving moral turpitude. As we","paragraph_id":"para_367"},{"text":"have already explained, Sasay’s conviction under §","paragraph_id":"para_368"},{"text":"1028A(a)(1) is different because it required that his possession","paragraph_id":"para_369"},{"text":"was during and in relation to the predicate felony of bank fraud.","paragraph_id":"para_370"},{"text":"Sasay also points to several other BIA decisions as well","paragraph_id":"para_371"},{"text":"as decisions by other Circuit Courts of Appeals “involving","paragraph_id":"para_372"},{"text":"34 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(c).","paragraph_id":"para_373"},{"text":"35 Matter of Serna, 20 I. & N. Dec. 579 (BIA 1992).","paragraph_id":"para_374"},{"text":"36 The relevant part of the statute states:","paragraph_id":"para_375"},{"text":"Whoever knowingly forges, counterfeits, alters,","paragraph_id":"para_376"},{"text":"or falsely makes any immigrant or nonimmigrant","paragraph_id":"para_377"},{"text":"visa, permit, or other document required for","paragraph_id":"para_378"},{"text":"entry into the United States, or utters, uses,","paragraph_id":"para_379"},{"text":"attempts to use, possesses, obtains, accepts, or","paragraph_id":"para_380"},{"text":"receives any such visa, permit, or document,","paragraph_id":"para_381"},{"text":"knowing it to be forged, counterfeited, altered, or","paragraph_id":"para_382"},{"text":"falsely made, or to have been procured by means","paragraph_id":"para_383"},{"text":"of any false claim or statement, or to have been","paragraph_id":"para_384"},{"text":"otherwise procured by fraud or unlawfully","paragraph_id":"para_385"},{"text":"obtained ... [s]hall be fined not more than $2,000","paragraph_id":"para_386"},{"text":"or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.","paragraph_id":"para_387"},{"text":"18 U.S.C. § 1546. See Matter of Serna, 20 I&N Dec. at 853.","paragraph_id":"para_388"},{"text":"37 Section 1546 falls in to § 1028A(c)(7) as a provision of","paragraph_id":"para_389"},{"text":"chapter 75 (relating to passports and visas).","paragraph_id":"para_390"},{"text":"11","paragraph_id":"para_391"},{"text":"dishonesty,” which were found not to be CIMTs.38 The","paragraph_id":"para_392","court_paragraph":11},{"text":"authorities he relies upon, like Matter of Serna, are all","paragraph_id":"para_393"},{"text":"distinguishable for the reason we just explained. Essentially,","paragraph_id":"para_394"},{"text":"Sasay’s argument requires that we read “during and in relation","paragraph_id":"para_395"},{"text":"to any felony . . .” out of § 1028A. We refuse to do that.","paragraph_id":"para_396"},{"text":"III. Conclusion","paragraph_id":"para_397"},{"text":"For the reasons set forth above, this petition for review","paragraph_id":"para_398"},{"text":"must be resolved using the modified categorical approach. We","paragraph_id":"para_399"},{"text":"therefore consider that Sasay pled guilty to violating §1028A","paragraph_id":"para_400"},{"text":"with the predicate felony of bank fraud and therefore convicted","paragraph_id":"para_401"},{"text":"of a CIMT. Since this conviction is Sasay’s second CIMT, the","paragraph_id":"para_402"},{"text":"38 Petitioner’s Br. at 24. See Notash v. Gonzales, 427 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_403"},{"text":"693, 696-700 (9th Cir. 2005) (finding Petitioner’s conviction","paragraph_id":"para_404"},{"text":"in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 542 was not a categorical CIMT","paragraph_id":"para_405"},{"text":"and the government failed to establish a CIMT under the","paragraph_id":"para_406"},{"text":"modified categorical approach); In re Zangwill, 18 I. & N.","paragraph_id":"para_407"},{"text":"Dec. 22, 28 (BIA 1981) (finding passing bad checks with","paragraph_id":"para_408"},{"text":"knowledge of insufficient funds in violation of Florida state","paragraph_id":"para_409"},{"text":"law to not be a CIMT because conviction does not require","paragraph_id":"para_410"},{"text":"showing intent to defraud); Beltran-Tirado v. INS, 213 F.3d","paragraph_id":"para_411"},{"text":"1179, 1183-85 (9th Cir. 2000) (finding false attestation on an","paragraph_id":"para_412"},{"text":"I-9 form in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1546(b)(3) and use of a","paragraph_id":"para_413"},{"text":"false social security number in violation of 42 U.S.C.","paragraph_id":"para_414"},{"text":"408(a)(7)(B) to not be CIMTs and not inherently wrong acts);","paragraph_id":"para_415"},{"text":"Bobadilla v. Holder, 679 F.3d 1052, 1058 (8th Cir. 2012)","paragraph_id":"para_416"},{"text":"(finding the petitioner’s conviction of false identification to a","paragraph_id":"para_417"},{"text":"police officer in violation of Minnesota state law to not be a","paragraph_id":"para_418"},{"text":"CIMT when applying the modified categorical approach);","paragraph_id":"para_419"},{"text":"Flores-Molina v. Sessions, 850 F.3d 1150, 1167–69 (10th Cir.","paragraph_id":"para_420"},{"text":"2017) (finding giving false information to an official during","paragraph_id":"para_421"},{"text":"an investigation in violation of a city ordinance to not be a","paragraph_id":"para_422"},{"text":"CIMT because the statement does not have to be material nor","paragraph_id":"para_423"},{"text":"does it have to be given with the intent to cause harm or","paragraph_id":"para_424"},{"text":"obtain benefit); Matter of S-, 2 I&N Dec. 353 (BIA, A.G.","paragraph_id":"para_425"},{"text":"1945) (finding knowingly making false statements – not","paragraph_id":"para_426"},{"text":"amounting to perjury, on an immigrant registration","paragraph_id":"para_427"},{"text":"application – is not a CIMT); and Rivera v. 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