Opinion ID: 471846
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: grant of permanent residence

Text: 17 Mukherjee also argues in effect that the district court should have granted him permanent residence rather than subjecting him to the discretion of the INS again. Mukherjee claims that in the interests of justice he should not be subjected again to the poisoned bureaucratic atmosphere of the INS. Mukherjee cites no authority for this court's power to grant him permanent residence, relying on our general power to shape equitable relief. 18 The district court was correct in denying this relief. Mukherjee must still prove that he meets the legal requirements for permanent resident status, a determination that must be made by the INS in the first instance. See, e.g., Sun Il Yoo v. INS, 534 F.2d 1325, 1329 (9th Cir.1976), Villena v. INS, 622 F.2d 1352, 1361 (9th Cir.1980) (en banc).