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DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department determined that defendant was entitled to attempt to demonstrate she would not have pled guilty had she been informed of the deportation consequence of her plea, even though the issue had not been preserved and she had waived her right to appeal:

… [D]efendant, a noncitizen, contends that her felony guilty plea was not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered because County Court failed to advise her of the potential deportation consequences of such a plea, as required by People v Peque (22 NY3d 168 …) . As a preliminary matter, we note that defendant’s challenge to the voluntariness of her plea survives her waiver of the right to appeal… . Furthermore, contrary to the People’s contention, preservation was not required inasmuch as the record bears no indication that defendant knew about the possibility of deportation … . With respect to defendant’s substantive contention, the People correctly concede that the court did not properly advise defendant of the deportation consequences of her plea. We therefore hold the case, reserve decision and remit the matter to County Court to afford defendant an opportunity to move to vacate her plea based upon a showing that “there is a reasonable probability’ that she would not have pleaded guilty had she known that she faced the risk of being deported as a result of the plea” … . People v Roman, 2018 NY Slip Op 03048, Fourth Dept 4-27-18

​CRIMINAL LAW (DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT))/APPEALS (CRIMINAL LAW, DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT))/IMMIGRATION (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT))/DEPORTATION (CRIMINAL LAW, DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT))/PLEA, MOTION TO VACATE (DEFENDANT ENTITLED TO DEMONSTRATE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD SHE BEEN INFORMED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ISSUE SURVIVES THE WAIVER OF APPEAL AND THE FAILURE TO PRESERVE (FOURTH DEPT))

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MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined mother’s immigration status did not prevent her from being appointed guardian of her children and Family Court should have made the findings necessary for the children to apply for special immigrant juvenile states (SIJS):

Family Court improperly dismissed the guardianship petitions. Contrary to the court’s determination, the mother was not required to demonstrate that she has “legal status in this country” or had taken steps to obtain such status to qualify as a guardian. “[D]omicile means living in [a] locality with intent to make it a fixed and permanent home” … . An individual’s lack of lawful status in the United States is “immaterial to the issue of his [or her] domicile and, therefore, his [or her] eligibility to receive letters [of guardianship]”… . Here, notwithstanding the mother’s immigration status, the record demonstrates her intent to permanently reside in New York State. Thus, the mother cannot be deemed a “non-domiciliary alien” who is ineligible to receive letters of guardianship … . …

Furthermore, the Family Court should have granted the children’s motions for the issuance of an order making the requisite declaration and specific findings so as to enable them to petition for SIJS. Matter of Alan S. M. C., 2018 NY Slip Op 02459, Second Dept 4-11-18

​FAMILY LAW (GUARDIANSHIP, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/GUARDIANSHIP (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (GUARDIANSHIP, MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/DOMICILE (FAMILY LAW, GUARDIANSHIP, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, (GUARDIANSHIP, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, MOTHER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS DID NOT AFFECT HER STATUS AS A DOMICILIARY OF NEW YORK, HER GUARDIANSHIP PETITIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DENIED, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))

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THIRD DEPT OFFERS AN IN DEPTH EXPLANATION OF THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) CRITERIA AND, REVERSING FAMILY COURT, FINDS THE CHILD MET THE FIVE CRITERIA (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, in a comprehensive decision explaining in depth the relevant law, made findings allowing the child to apply for special immigrant juvenile status (SJIS):

Before a child may seek SIJS from USCIS, a state court with jurisdiction over the juvenile must first issue a special findings order determining that (1) the child is under the age of 21, (2) the child is unmarried, (3) the child is dependent upon a juvenile court or legally committed to an individual appointed by that court, (4) reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or a similar basis under state law and (5) it would not be in the child’s best interests to return to his or her native country … . By issuing a special findings order, Family Court is not rendering an immigration determination … ; such order is merely a step in the process to assist USCIS and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, in making the ultimate immigration determination … . Matter of Keilyn GG. (Marlene HH.), 2018 NY Slip Op 02226, Third Dept 3-29-18

FAMILY LAW (SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, THIRD DEPARTMENT OFFERS AN IN DEPTH EXPLANATION OF THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) CRITERIA AND, REVERSING FAMILY COURT, FINDS THE CHILD MET THE FIVE CRITERIA (THIRD DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, THIRD DEPARTMENT OFFERS AN IN DEPTH EXPLANATION OF THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) CRITERIA AND, REVERSING FAMILY COURT, FINDS THE CHILD MET THE FIVE CRITERIA (THIRD DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (THIRD DEPARTMENT OFFERS AN IN DEPTH EXPLANATION OF THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) CRITERIA AND, REVERSING FAMILY COURT, FINDS THE CHILD MET THE FIVE CRITERIA (THIRD DEPT))

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DEFENDANT WAS NOT APPRISED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEAS, MATTER REMITTED FOR OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TO VACATE THE PLEAS (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department determined defendant was not warned of the deportation consequences of his guilty pleas. The matter was remitted to give the defendant the opportunity to move to vacate the pleas:

Here, the record does not demonstrate that the Supreme Court apprised the defendant of the possibility of deportation as a consequence of the defendant’s pleas. Accordingly, we remit the matter to the Supreme Court, Kings County, to afford the defendant an opportunity to move to vacate his pleas, and for a report by the Supreme Court thereafter. Any such motion shall be made by the defendant within 60 days after the date of this decision and order … , and, upon such motion, the defendant will have the burden of establishing that there is a “reasonable probability” that he would not have pleaded guilty had the court advised him of the possibility of deportation… . In its report to this Court, the Supreme Court shall state whether the defendant moved to vacate his pleas of guilty, and if so, shall set forth its finding as to whether the defendant made the requisite showing or failed to make the requisite showing … . People v Cole, 2018 NY Slip Op 01612, Second Dept 3-14-18

CRIMINAL LAW (DEFENDANT WAS NOT APPRISED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEAS, MATTER REMITTED FOR OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TO VACATE THE PLEAS (SECOND DEPT))/DEPORTATION (CRIMINAL LAW, DEFENDANT WAS NOT APPRISED OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEAS, MATTER REMITTED FOR OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TO VACATE THE PLEAS (SECOND DEPT))

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DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD HIS COUNSEL TOLD HIM DEPORTATION WAS MANDATORY, CONVICTION REVERSED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing defendant’s conviction, determined defendant demonstrated a reasonable probability that he would not have pled guilty had he been told by his attorney that deportation was mandatory:

… [W]e agree with the defendant’s contention that the legal representation he received at the plea proceeding was deficient inasmuch as the plea minutes show that the defendant’s counsel, who was aware that the defendant was a noncitizen, advised him only that pleading guilty to a drug felony “may affect his [immigration] status” (emphasis added). Such advice was erroneous given that a felony drug conviction involving cocaine made the defendant’s deportation mandatory … , and where, as here, the deportation consequence is clear, counsel’s duty to give correct advice is equally clear … .

In order for the defendant to obtain vacatur of his plea of guilty based on a Padilla violation, he must also establish that ” there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial'” … . The Supreme Court, in its report, expressed the view that the evidence in the record, as supplemented by the defendant’s testimony at the hearing conducted upon remittal, evinced a reasonable probability that the defendant would not have pleaded guilty but for counsel’s incorrect advice regarding the immigration consequences of his plea, and would have insisted instead on going to trial. We agree, and discern no reason to disturb the credibility determinations made by the court … . People v Loaiza, 2018 NY Slip Op 01201, Second Dept 2-21-18

CRIMINAL LAW (DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD HIS COUNSEL TOLD HIM DEPORTATION WAS MANDATORY, CONVICTION REVERSED (SECOND DEPT))/ATTORNEYS (CRIMINAL LAW, DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD HIS COUNSEL TOLD HIM DEPORTATION WAS MANDATORY, CONVICTION REVERSED (SECOND DEPT))/GUILTY PLEA (DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES, DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD HIS COUNSEL TOLD HIM DEPORTATION WAS MANDATORY, CONVICTION REVERSED (SECOND DEPT))/IMMIGRATION (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WOULD NOT HAVE PLED GUILTY HAD HIS COUNSEL TOLD HIM DEPORTATION WAS MANDATORY, CONVICTION REVERSED (SECOND DEPT))

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS TO ALLOW THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined Family Court should have made the findings to enable the child to petition for special immigrant juvenile state (SIJS):

… [W]here, as here, the Family Court’s credibility determination is not supported by the record, this Court is free to make its own credibility assessments and overturn the determination of the hearing court… . Based upon our independent factual review, we conclude that the record supports a finding that reunification of the child with his mother is not a viable option based upon parental neglect. The record reflects that the mother failed to meet the educational needs of the child … . The child testified that, although he was prevented from attending school by gang members who beat him while walking to school, the mother did not arrange for transportation, which was within her financial means, but instead, told him to stay home. Additionally, the child was expelled from one school due to excessive tardiness, and he failed the seventh grade … . Further, the mother did not provide adequate supervision, often leaving the then eight-year-old child home alone at night in the neighborhood where he had encountered the gang violence … . Matter of Dennis X. G. D. V., 2018 NY Slip Op 01073, Second Dept 2-14-18

FAMILY LAW (SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS TO ALLOW THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SECOND DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS), FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS TO ALLOW THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SECOND DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS TO ALLOW THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SECOND DEPT))

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DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department determined defendant was not afforded effective assistance of counsel because he was told only that his plea had potential immigration consequences when in fact deportation was mandatory:

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Defendant was deprived of effective assistance when his counsel advised him that his plea would have “potential immigration consequences,” where it is clear that his drug-related conviction would trigger mandatory deportation under 8 USC § 1227(a)(2)(B)(I) … . The remarks made by counsel on the record are sufficient to permit review on direct appeal … . Thus, we hold this matter in abeyance to afford defendant the opportunity to move to vacate his plea upon a showing that there is a reasonable probability that he would not have pleaded guilty had he been made aware of the deportation consequences of his plea. People v Pequero, 2018 NY Slip Op 00619, First Dept 2-1-18

CRIMINAL LAW (DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/ATTORNEYS (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/DEPORTATION (CRIMINAL LAW, ATTORNEYS, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/PLEA, MOTION TO VACATE (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/IMMIGRATION (CRIMINAL LAW, DEFENDANT WAS NOT AFFORDED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS TOLD ONLY OF POTENTIAL IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, MATTER REMANDED TO ALLOW DEFENDANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS ENABLING THE CHILD TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS), STATUTORY PROCESS LEADING TO IMMIGRATION DETERMINATION BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Family Court, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Lynch, determined the child was entitled to findings which would enable him to apply for special immigrant juvenile status. The court explained the relevant steps in the immigration process:

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In November 2015, Family Court granted the petition of Ericza K. and appointed her as the permanent guardian of her brother, Jose YY., born in 2000 (hereinafter the child). In April 2016, the child moved for a threshold order that would enable him to petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (hereinafter USCIS) for special immigrant juvenile status (hereinafter SIJS) which, in turn, would enable him to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States … . A child seeking SIJS from USCIS must first obtain a special findings order from a state court with jurisdiction over the juvenile, which must determine that (1) the child is under 21 years of age, (2) the child is unmarried, (3) the child is dependent upon a juvenile court or legally committed to an individual appointed by that court, (4) reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, abandonment or a similar basis under state law, and (5) it would not be in the child’s best interests to be returned to his or her native country … . Upon such an application, the role of Family Court is to render specific findings as to the above criteria, with the ultimate determination as to whether to grant SIJS to a child to be made by USCIS and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security … . Correspondingly, it is not Family Court’s role to render an immigration determination … . * * *

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.. .[W]e conclude, upon our independent review of the record, that returning the child to Honduras would not be in his best interests … . The child testified that his father died in 2003 and his mother in 2012, and their death certificates are consistent with such testimony. After his mother’s death, he lived with an older sister who operated a billiards business, where the child was fearful and exposed to people smoking, drinking and using cocaine in his presence. That sister has since relocated to Virginia, and the child no longer has family residing in Honduras. In sharp contrast, his guardian has provided a stable home for the child where he feels safe and is attending school … . Matter of Jose YY. (Ericza K.), 2018 NY Slip Op 00375, Third Dept 1-18-18

FAMILY LAW (SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS ENABLING THE CHILD TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS), STATUTORY PROCESS LEADING TO IMMIGRATION DETERMINATION BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS ENABLING THE CHILD TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS), STATUTORY PROCESS LEADING TO IMMIGRATION DETERMINATION BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (FAMILY LAW, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE FINDINGS ENABLING THE CHILD TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS), STATUTORY PROCESS LEADING TO IMMIGRATION DETERMINATION BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY EXPLAINED (THIRD DEPT))

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FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Family Court, determined Family Court should have made the findings to enable a child to petition for special immigrant juvenile status:

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… [T]he record supports a finding that reunification of the child with one or both of his parents is not viable due to parental neglect and abandonment … . The child testified that, while in El Salvador, although he was approached by gang members to join their gang during his walk to school, his parents did not make any arrangements for his transportation to and from school to ensure his safety or do anything to deter such recruitment activities although aware of such activities and the fact that a neighborhood boy, who resisted the gang’s efforts, was killed while traveling to another village … . Moreover, the child testified that his parents strongly encouraged him to leave the family home in El Salvador but did not provide alternate living arrangements and have not supported him since his arrival in New York.

Accordingly, the Family Court should have granted the petitioner’s motion for the issuance of an order, inter alia, making specific findings so as to enable the child to petition for SIJS. Since the record is sufficient for this Court to make its own findings of fact and conclusions of law, we find that reunification of the child with one or both of his parents is not viable due to parental neglect and abandonment. Matter of Nelson A. G.-L. (Maria Y. G. S.), 2018 NY Slip Op 00289, Second Dept 1-17-18

FAMILY LAW (SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/IMMIGRATION LAW (FAMILY LAW, SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))/SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (FAMILY COURT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE FINDINGS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE CHILD TO PETITION FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS) (SECOND DEPT))

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COURT WAS REQUIRED TO INFORM DEFENDANT OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, DESPITE DEFENDANT’S ERRONEOUS STATEMENT TO THE COURT THAT HE IS A US CITIZEN, DEFENDANT ALLOWED TO MOVE TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Manzanet-Daniels, over an extensive dissent, determined defendant should be afforded the opportunity to move to vacate his guilty plea because the court did not inform him of the deportation consequences. Although the probation report indicated defendant was not a US citizen and was undocumented, the defendant, who had a history of mental illness, told the court, when asked, the he was a US citizen. The First Department held that all defendants must be informed of the deportation consequences for non-citizens:

In People v Peque (22 NY3d 168 [2013]…), the Court of Appeals held that before accepting a plea, due process requires that a court “apprise a defendant that, if the defendant is not an American citizen, he or she may be deported as a consequence of a guilty plea to a felony” … . The Court reasoned that “fundamental fairness . . . requires a trial court to make a noncitizen defendant aware of the risk of deportation because deportation frequently results from a noncitizen's guilty plea and constitutes a uniquely devastating deprivation of liberty” … . Accordingly, “a noncitizen defendant convicted of a removable crime can hardly make a voluntary and intelligent choice among the alternative courses of action'” unless informed of the possibility of deportation … .

Defendant's statement to the court that he was a citizen did not absolve the court of its obligations pursuant to Peque. Notably, Peque did not condition the need to give this warning on whether or not the court has reason to believe the defendant is not a citizen. The warning mandated by Peque is required whether the defendant is a citizen or not. Indeed, the Court of Appeals recognized that in order to protect the rights of the large number of noncitizen defendants pleading guilty to felonies in the state, it was necessary to “make all defendants aware that, if they are not United States citizens,” pleading guilty to a felony might lead to deportation … . People v Palmer, 2018 NY Slip Op 00638, First Dept 1-2-18

CRIMINAL LAW (DEPORTATION, COURT WAS REQUIRED TO INFORM DEFENDANT OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, DESPITE DEFENDANT'S ERRONEOUS STATEMENT TO THE COURT THAT HE IS A US CITIZEN, DEFENDANT ALLOWED TO MOVE TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/IMMIGRATION (CRIMINAL LAW, COURT WAS REQUIRED TO INFORM DEFENDANT OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, DESPITE DEFENDANT'S ERRONEOUS STATEMENT TO THE COURT THAT HE IS A US CITIZEN, DEFENDANT ALLOWED TO MOVE TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/DEPORTATION CRIMINAL LAW, COURT WAS REQUIRED TO INFORM DEFENDANT OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, DESPITE DEFENDANT'S ERRONEOUS STATEMENT TO THE COURT THAT HE IS A US CITIZEN, DEFENDANT ALLOWED TO MOVE TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))/PLEA, MOTION TO VACATE (CRIMINAL LAW, DEPORTATION, COURT WAS REQUIRED TO INFORM DEFENDANT OF THE DEPORTATION CONSEQUENCES OF HIS PLEA, DESPITE DEFENDANT'S ERRONEOUS STATEMENT TO THE COURT THAT HE IS A US CITIZEN, DEFENDANT ALLOWED TO MOVE TO VACATE HIS PLEA (FIRST DEPT))

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