5th Circuit Immigration Outline

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    Our Fifth Circuit outline offers Texas practitioners a clear, accessible resource for navigating immigration case law. Unlike AI-generated tools, this outline is the product of intensive research conducted by our pro bono partners at the University of Texas Immigration Law Clinic, American Gateways, Baker Botts LLP, and students placed through UT's Mithoff Pro Bono Program. We thank the Office of Staff Attorneys and the Ninth Circuit Court Librarians who prepare the Ninth Circuit Immigration Outline, on which this effort was based. Designed to be a starting point for legal research, this outline should not be viewed as legal advice, nor is it a substitute for thorough, independent analysis. Practitioners are strongly encouraged to verify citations and conduct their own comprehensive research to ensure accuracy. 

    As this is a dynamic and evolving resource, we welcome your feedback at info@txilc.org and encourage you to check back regularly for updates and new material. 

    Jurisdiction, Procedural Rules, and Standards of Review 

    1. Overview
    2. Petitions for Review Exclusive Means for Judicial Review of a Final Order of Removal 
    3. Procedural Rules 
      1. Commencement of Proceedings 
      2. Timeliness 
      3. Venue 
      4. Stay Issues 
      5. Exhaustion 
      6. Departure from the United States 
      7. Fugitive Disentitlement Doctrine 
      8. Proper Respondent 
    4. Historical Context 
      1. Reorganization of the Immigration and Naturalization Service 
      2. Reorganization of Administrative Regulations 
      3. Exclusion Orders 

    Sections V-Vi to be added in a future update to this outline. 

    Relief from Removal 

    Asylum & Withholding of Removal 

    1. Context 
    2. Burden of Proof 
    3. Defining Persecution 
    4. Source or Agent of Persecution 
    5. Past Persecution 
    6. Well-Founded Fear of Future Persecution 
    7. Nexus to Protected Grounds 
    8. Protected Grounds 
    9. Exercise of Discretion 
    10. Bars to Asylum 
    11. Derivative Asylees 
    12. Remand Under Ventura 
    13. Withholding of Removal 

    Convention Against Torture

    1. Standard of Review
    2. Definition Torture & Burden of Proof
    3. Country Conditions, Past Torture, & Internal Relocation
    4. CAT vs. Asylum & Agent of Torture
    5. Mandatory Protection, Nature of Protection, & Derivative Claims
    6. Habeas Jurisdiction, Remanded Cases, Cases Finding No Eligibility 

    Motions to Reopen or Reconsider

    1. Differences Between Motions to Reopen and Motions to Reconsider
      1. Pertinent Regulations
      2. Motions to Reopen
      3. Motions to Reconsider
      4. Motions to Remand
    2. Jurisdiction
      1. Finality of the Underlying Order
      2. Filing Motion to Reopen or Reconsider Not a Jurisdictional Prerequisite to Filing a Petition for Review
    3. Standard of Review
      1. Generally
      2. Full Consideration of All Factors
      3. Credibility Determinations
    4. Requirements for a Motion to Reopen
      1. Prima Facie Eligibility for Relief
      2. Supporting Documentations
        1. Exceptions
      3. Previously Unavailable Evidence
      4. Explanation for Failure to Apply Discretionary Relief
      5. Discretionary Denial
      6. Relevance of Prior Grant of Voluntary Departure
        1. Voluntary Departure Regulations
        2. Dada v. Mukasey
        3. Pre-Dada v. Mukasey
      7. Fugitive Disentitlement Doctrine
    5. Time and Numerical Limitations
      1. Generally
        1. Time Limitations
        2. Numerical Limitations
      2. Exceptions to the Ninety-Day/One-Motion Rule
        1. In Absentia Orders
        2. Recission based on Exceptional Circumstances
        3. Arriving Late While IJ on Bench
        4. Reopening and Rescission Based on Improper Notice to Appear
        5. Movant in Custody
        6. Changed Country Conditions/Circumstances
        7.  Jointly-Filed Motions
        8. Government Motions Based on Fraud
        9. Sua Sponte Reopening by Agency
    6. Equitable Tolling
      1. Circumstances Beyond the Applicant's Control
      2. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel - Equitable Tolling
      3. Changes in Law
      4. Due Diligence
    7. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
      1. Presented Through a Motion to Reopen
      2. Exhaustion and Prop-er Forum
      3. Standard of Review
      4. Substantive Requirements for Due Process Violations
        1. Constitutional Basis
        2. Counsel's Competence
        3. Prejudice
      5. The Lozada Requirements - Procedural Requirements
      6. Cases Discussing Ineffective Assistance
        1. Cases Finding Ineffective Assistance
        2. Cases Rejecting Ineffective Assistance
    8. Cases Addressing Motions to Reopen for a Specific Relief
      1. Motions to Apply for Cancellation of Removal
      2. Motions to Reopen to Apply for Asylum and Withholding
      3. Motions to Reopen to Apply for Relief Under the Convention Against Torture
      4. Motions to Reopen to Apply for Adjustment of Status
      5. Motions to Reopen to Apply for Other Relief
        1. Suspension of Deportation
        2. 212(c) Relief
        3. Miscellaneous Relief

    Criminal Issues in Immigration Law

    Overview on Texas crimes constituting an aggravated felony or crime involving moral turpitude 

    I. INTRODUCTION
    II. AGGRAVATED FELONIES

    • A. Definition of Aggravated Felony
    • B. Consequences of Aggravated Felony
    • C. Traditional Categorical Approach and Modified-Categorical Approach
    • D. Murder, Rape or Sexual Abuse of a Minor – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(A)
      • Murder
        Rape
        Sexual Abuse of a Minor
    • E. Illicit Trafficking in a Controlled Substance - 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(B)
    • F. Illicit Trafficking in Firearms – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(C)
    • G. Money Laundering - 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(D)
    • H. Explosives, Firearms and Arson – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(E)
    • I. Crimes of Violence (“COV”) – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(F)
      Negligence and Reckless Conduct Insufficient
      Force Against Another 13
    • J. Theft or Burglary – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(G)
    • K. Ransom Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(H)
    • L. Child Pornography Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(I)
    • M. RICO Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(J)
    • N. Prostitution and Slavery Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(K)
    • O. National Defense Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(L)
    • P. Fraud or Deceit Offenses – 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43)(M)
    • Q. “Alien Smuggling” – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(N)
    • R. Illegal Reentry after Deportation for Aggravated Felony – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(O)
    • S. Passport Forgery – 8 U.S.C §1101(a)(43)(P)
    • T. Failure to Appear for Service of Sentence – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(Q)
      U. Commercial Bribery and Counterfeiting – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(R)
    • V. Obstruction of Justice – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(S)
      W. Failure to Appear before a Court – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(T)
    • X. Attempt or Conspiracy to Commit an Aggravated Felony – 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)(U)
    • Y. Particularly Serous Crimes.

    III. CRIMES INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE

    • A. Definition of Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude
    • B. Categorical Approach
    • C. Modified Categorical Approach

    IV. TEXAS SPECIFIC CRIMES – CRIMES INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE

    • A. Offenses Against the Person
    • B. Offenses Against the Family
    • C. Offenses Against Property

    V. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

    • A. Obstructing Governmental Operations
    • B. Offenses Against Public Order and Decency
    • C. Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, and Morals
    • D. Intoxication and Alcoholic Beverage Offenses
    • E. Firework Offenses

    Due Process in Immigration Proceedings 

    1. Due Process Generally 
    2. Examples of Common Due Process Issues 1 
    3. Examples of Common Due Process Issues 2 
    4. Due Process Challenges to Procedure and Statutory Provisions 

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