Interim Decision #2589
MATTER OF WERK
In Deportation Proceedings
A 11674985
-
Decided by Board May 26, 1977
(1) Deportation proceedings were brought against respondent under section 241(a)(11) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act for conviction of a violation of section 161.30(12)(a)
of the Wisconsin State Statutes. This conviction was subsequently vacated nunc pro
tune as of the date of conviction and the respondent was discharged and the proceedings
against him were dismissed under 384 Wisconsin Statutes Section 161.30(12)(D, Laws of
1969.
(2) 384 Wisconsin Statutes Section 161.30(12)(i), Laws of 1969 was repealed and replaced
by Wis. Stat. Section 161.47(1) which then became the Wisconsin provision for first
offenders. It is similar to section 407 of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and is
considered by the Service to be a State counterpart of 21 U.S.C. 844(b)(1),-
(3) A conviction which has been expunged under the first offender provisions of 21 U.S.C.
844(b)(1) may not be used as a basis for deportability under section 241(a)(11) of the Act.
A conviction which has been expunged under a state law which in the counterpart of 21
U.S.C. 844 (b)(1) may not be used as a basis for deportability under section 241(a)(11).
In fairness to respondent, his conviction will be considered to have been expunged
under the new first-offender statute and the proceedings will be terminated as improvidently begun.
CHARGE:
Order: Act of 1952 —Section 241(a)(11) [8 U.S.C. 1251(a)(11)1 —After entry convicted of
a violation of any law or regulation relating to the illicit possession of, or traffic in, narcotic drugs or marihuana, to wit: illicit
possession of marihuana, in violation of Section 161.30(12)(a) of
the Wisconsin State Statutes
ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT: Todd J. Mitchell, Esquire
Mitchell & Noonan S.C.
2631 North Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
BY: Milhollan, Chairman; Wilson, Maniatis, Appleman, and Maguire, Board Members
This is an appeal from the January 5, 1976, decision of the immigration
judge, made after the proceedings were reopened, pursuant to our
()rider of December 27, 1973, so that the immigration judge could consider the new evidence that the respondent's conviction of posaeszion of
marihuana had been vacated under Wisconsin law. The immigration
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judge once again found that the respondent was deportable as charged,
and ordered his deportation to Germany. The appeal will be sustained
and the proceedings terminated.
The alien respondent, a native and, citizen of Germany, was born on
May 1, 1954. He was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident on July 21, 1960, at the age of six, and has lived here since
that time. He was convicted under Wisconsin law for possession of
marijuana on October 27, 1972, when he was 18 years old_ He was
subsequently held in deportation proceedings and found deportable
under section 241(a)(11) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. His
conviction was thereafter vacated nuns pro tune as of the date of
conviction; the respondent was discharged, and the proceedings against
him were dismissed under 384 Wisconsin Statutes Section 161.30(12)(1) r
Lawsof196.SeApndix
The question raised by this case is whether, after discharge and
dismissal under the above state statute, the respondent can be considered to have been convicted of an offense for which he may be
deported under section 241(a)(11) of the Act.
We have requested comment from the Immigration and Naturalization Service on its position. A Service memorandum, responding to our
request, is set out below.
• • •
Under present case law, the only expungements of narcotics and marihuana convictions
which will relieve an alien from deportation are those obtained under the Federal Youth
Corrections Act (18 U.S. C. 5010, et seq.) and its state counterparts. Matter of Andrade,
I.D. 2276 (BIA 1974); Matter of Berker, I.D. 2511 (BIA 1976).
21 U.S.C. 844(b)(1) is for first offenders the equivalent of the Federal Youth Corrections Act. The legislative history indicates that discharge and dismissal under that
section shall not be deemed conviction of a crime. H.R. Rep. No. 91-1444, 91st Cong.,
2d bess., 1270 U.S. Code Cong. & Admin. News 4565, at 4616. It is the position of the
Service that an alien processed under 21 U.S.C. 844(b)(1) is not subject to deportation.
The Service is also of the view that an alien convicted under a state counterpart to 21
U.S.C. 844(b)(1) is not subject to deportation. The question presented by this ease is
whether the state statute under which the respondent was treated is such a counterpart.
The present Wisconsin provision for first offenders is Wis. Stat. Section 161.47(1), which
became effective October 1, 1972. This section is similar to section 407 of the Uniform
Controlled Substances Act and is considered by the Service to be a state counterpart
of 21 U.S.C. S44(b)(1).
The respondent, however, had his conviction expunged under a prior enactment, Wis.
Stat. section 161.20(12)(i) (1969), which has since been repealed. It is not clear whether
this enactment can be considered a state counterpart of 21 U.S. C. 844(b)(1), since unlike
the federal and present Wisconsin provisions, it does not expressly preclude application
of the more severe penalties for repeat offenders. A search of the Wisconsin case law
sheds no light on the question of whether persons treated under section 161.30(12)0 are
subject to repeat offender treatment.
Nevertheless, It is the Service position that Lather than lay to determine the niceties of
the prior Wisconsin law, the Service should, in order to be fair, give this respondent the
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same treatment as an alien whose conviction was expunged under the present version of
the Wisconsin first offender statute. In arriving at this position, the Service is mindful
that the respondent has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since he
was six years old. Therefore, in view of the circumstances of this case, the Service
moves that deportation proceedings against the respondent be terminated as improvidently begun. The record of Proceedings is returned herewith.
We agree with the Immigration and Naturalization Service's analysis
of the legal issues involved. Hence, we hold that a conviction which has
been expunged under the first offender provisions of 21 U.S. C. 844(b)(1)
(see Appendix B) may not be used as a basis for deportability under
section 241(a)(11) of the Act. Similarly, a conviction which has been
expunged under a state law which is the counterpart of 21 U.S.C.
84-4(b)(1) may not be used as a basis for deportability under section
241(a)(11).
Moreover, in light of the Service's position with respect to this case,
we shall grant its motion to terminate the proceedings against the
respondent as improvidently begun.
ORDER: The immigration judge's decision of January 5, 1976, is
vacated, and the proceedings are terminated.
APPENDIX A
Wisconsin State Statutes Section 161.20(12)(i) (1969) (repealed).
Whenever any person who has not previously been convicted of any offense under this
chapter or under any statute of the United States or of any other state relating to
dangerous drugs or narcotics, pleads guilty to or is found guilty of possession or use or
gift of marijuana under this section the court may, without entering judgment and with
the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place him on probation under
ch. 57. Upon violation of a term or condition, the court may enter an adjudication of guilt
amd proceed to sentence the defendant. Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions, the
court shall discharge such person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge
mod dismissal under this subsection shall be without court adjudication of guilt and shall
not be deemed a conviction for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by
law upon conviction of a felony or misdemeanor. Discharge and dismissal under this
subsection may occur only once with respect to any person.
APPENDIX B
21 -United States Code 844(b)(1).'
If any person who has not previously been convicted of violating subsection (a) of this
section, any other provision of this subchapter or subchapter II of this chapter, or any
other law of the United States relating to narcotic drugs, marihuana, or depressant or
stimulant substances, is found guilty of a violation of subsection (a) of this section after
trial or upon a plea of guilty, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilty and
W5th the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place him on probation
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Interim Decision #2589—Appendix
upon such reasonable conditions as it may require and fcir such period, not to exceed one
year, as the court may prescribe. Upon violation of a condition of the probation, the
court may enter an adjudication of guilt and proceed as otherwise provided. The court
may, in its discretion, dismiss the proceedings against such person and discharge him
from probation before the expiration of the maximum period prescribed for such
person's probation. If during the period of his probation such person does not violate
any of the conditions of the probation, then upon expiration of such period the court
shall discharge such person and dismiss the proceedings against him. Discharge and
dismissal under this subsection shall be without court adjudication of guilt, but a
nonpublic record thereof shall be retained by the Department of Justice solely for the
purpose of use by the courts in determining whether or not, in subsequent proceedings,
such person qualifies under this subsection. Such discharge or dismissal shall not be
deemed a conviction for purposes of disqualifications or disabilities imposed by law upon
conviction of a crime (including the penalties prescribed under this part for second or
subsequent convictions) or for any other purpose. Discharge and dismissal under this
section may occur only once with respect to any person.
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