The Fifth Circuit has determined that a Texas conviction for sexual assault of a child is a crime of child abuse. In so doing, the court deferred to the Board of Immigrations’ (Board) interpretation of this ground of deportability, articulated in its decisions in Matter of Velazquez-Herrera and Matter of Soram. The court noted that the statute at issue requires intentionally or knowingly engaging in acts involving direct sexual contact with a child, which falls squarely within the Board’s definition.
The full text of Garcia v. Barr can be found here:
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/19/19-60097-CV0.pdf