By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
CITING his prior criminal convictions and his non-U.S. citizen status, Honolulu Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner ordered tour operator Jijing “Jimmy” Borja removed from the CNMI on Wednesday.
Judge Wagner told Borja he was ineligible for voluntary departure because of his criminal record.
“The court finds you removable from the United States and that you are an alien convicted of, or who admits to committing, crimes of moral turpitude,” Wagner said. A crime involving moral turpitude is one that is inherently dishonest, immoral, or contrary to accepted standards of justice and good morals.
During the removal proceedings, Borja initially insisted on speaking in English and requested that Judge Wagner schedule a bond hearing. He argued that he should be temporarily released because he has medical conditions, operates a business, employs workers, and pays taxes.
According to court records, Borja was convicted in 2014 of assault and battery and disturbing the peace. His aggregate sentence was eight years’ imprisonment, all suspended except for four years, with 247 days credited for time served. In 2023, he was convicted of offering a bribe and soliciting gifts or favors and was fined $500.
Through a Mandarin interpreter, Borja later told the court he had a pending U.S. citizenship application. Department of Homeland Security attorney Shannon Fruthranjit told the court, however, that no such application was on file.
Judge Wagner informed Borja that he could appeal the removal order.
Borja asked, “If I appeal, could I request a bond hearing?”
“The bond hearing will not take place,” Judge Wagner replied. “If you wish to appeal, you will not be released from custody.” He added that an appeal would take four to six months.
Borja then said, “I want to go back to China right away.”
Last year, Variety reported that Borja was the victim of kidnapping and assault. He told police he was forcibly taken and beaten by three suspects. The alleged attack occurred in Chinatown, where Borja said he was lured under false pretenses and later threatened.
In that case, the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division charged Hee Jung Hwang, 39, and co-defendants Peter Deleon Guerrero — also known as “Dragon” or “Paduna” — and Yichuan Bai with kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, and disturbing the peace in connection with an Aug. 25 incident.
On Dec. 15, Hwang was removed from the CNMI following an order from the Saipan Immigration Court. Cases against Bai and Deleon Guerrero remain pending.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
