Lara-Chacon v. Ashcroft
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
345 F.3d 1148 (2003)
Relevant factsFree
Lara-Chacon (defendant), a longtime U.S. immigrant, pleaded guilty to Arizona money-laundering charges, and the INS sought his removal based on aggravated felonies including a controlled-substance violation; the immigration judge dismissed the money-laundering-specific charge but found the conviction independently related to a controlled substance, and the Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed. Lara-Chacon appealed to the Ninth Circuit.
IssueFree
Whether a money laundering conviction by itself constitutes a violation of law related to a controlled substance under the INA.