Monday, Apr. 27, 2009

Court to consider case of immigrant who overslept
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court will decide whether an Albanian immigrant who overslept and missed his asylum hearing can be deported.
The court on Monday agreed to hear an appeal by Agron Kucana, who came to the United States in 1995 as a nonimmigrant visitor. He overstayed his visa and then applied for asylum, saying he'd be persecuted for his political beliefs if he were sent back.

Kucana said while in Albania, he was hit by an unmarked car while bicycling, was beaten while held by the police for 20 hours, and was attacked at his home by men dressed in black. He was forced to flee to Turkey before coming to the United States.

However, Kucana overslept and missed his asylum hearing in the United States, and was ordered deported in absentia. He has been trying to get his removal hearing reopened since then without success.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago denied his appeal, saying they did not have jurisdiction to review the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision in this case. Kucana is challenging that determination.
The case is Kucana v. Holder, 08-911.

The court also:
- Decided to review a caterer's argument that her business equipment was exempt from her personal bankruptcy proceedings.
- Decided to get involved in a fight in New England over how to determine the cost of electricity for consumers.
- Refused to hear an appeal from Salvador Magluta, a reputed cocaine kingpin, to reduce his 195-year prison term.
http://www.thestate.com/nationalpolitic ... =untracked