Source: http://www.jctlegal.com/immigration-blog/stop-time-rule-of-cancellation-of-removal-for-certain-legal-permanent-residents-ina-240a
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 16:33:40
Document Index: 404320561

Matched Legal Cases: ['§240', '§240', '§ 240', '§ 240', '§ 240', '§ 240']

“STOP TIME RULE” OF CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL FOR CERTAIN LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS INA §240(a) - James C. Tai, Attorney at Law
“STOP TIME RULE” OF CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL FOR CERTAIN LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS INA §240(a)
Under INA § 240A(a),the Attorney General may cancel the removal of a non-citizen and allow the non-citizen to remain as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The relief of cancellation under INA § 240A(a) applies to eligible non-citizens placed in removal proceedings on or after April 1, 1997.
Under§ 240A(a), an LPR must (1) have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than five years[*1], (2) have resided in the United States continuously for seven years after having been admitted in any status[*2], and (3) not have been convicted of any aggravated felony.
INA § 240A(d), also known as the “stop-time” rule, defines when continuous residence or continuous physical presence ends. It states that continuous residence ends at the moment the non-citizen commits certain acts or crimes or is served with a Notice to Appear (NTA) for removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge. Specifically, the time stops accruing
(A) when the alien is served a notice to appear under section 239(a), or
(B) when the alien has committed an offense[*3] referred to in section 212(a)(2) that renders the alien inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(2) or removable from the United States under section 237(a)(2) or 237(a)(4), whichever is earliest.
*1 The accrual of the 5 years of permanent resident status is not subject to the stop-time rule.
*2 Admitted in any status – start to count from date of first legal admission. (example… if respondent entered without inspection, and later adjust status (e.g. NACARA, Haitian Refugee, etc), the date to start calculating the 7 year continuance residence is at the date of adjustment, not at the time of initial entry.
*3 Matter of Jurado, 24 I&N Dec. 29 (BIA 2006) (an alien need not be charged and found inadmissible or removable on a ground specified in section 240A(d)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in order for the alleged criminal conduct (conviction of the crime) to terminate the alien’s continuous residence in this country).
INA 212(a)(2) Criminal and related grounds
INA 237(a)(2) Criminal offenses
(i) Crimes of moral turpitude Any alien who
(ii) Multiple criminal convictions CIMT
(B) Controlled substances (other than a single offense involving possession for one’s own use of 30 grams or less of marijuana)
Any alien who at any time has been convicted (the judgment on such conviction becoming final) of, or has been so convicted of a conspiracy or attempt to violate--
(i) relating to espionage, relating to sabotage, treason and sedition for which a term imprisonment of five or more years may be imposed;
(iii) a violation of any provision of the Military Selective Service Act (50 App. U.S.C.451 et seq.) or the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 App. U.S.C. 1 et seq.); or
(F) Trafficking (persons)
INA 237(a)(4) Security and related grounds
Any alien who has engaged, is engaged, or at any time after admission engages in--