John Coquico v. Loretta E. Lynch

OPINION

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge:

We must decide whether “unlawful laser activity” under state law is a crime involving moral turpitude.

I

On September 1, 2006, John Coquico, a' citizen of the Philippines, was convicted of misdemeanor “unlawful laser activity” in violation of California Penal Code (“CaLPenal Code”) § 417.26, after using a laser device in the hallway of the Alameda County criminal courthouse. A year later, he was also convicted of second degree robbery in violation of CaLPenal Code § 211, and the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) sought his removal under the Immigration…