Opinion ID: 1261998
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Immigration Statutes and Regulations

Text: Pursuant to INA § 245(a), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(a), an alien who was inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States may apply to adjust her immigration status to that of lawful permanent resident if the alien is admissible to the United States, among other qualifications. In 1994, Congress enacted a provision permitting aliens who entered without inspection to apply for adjustment of status under certain circumstances without leaving the United States. INA § 245(i), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i); see Act of Aug 26, 1994, Pub.L. No. 103-317, § 506(b), 108 Stat. 1765. Section 1255(i) (the special adjustment of status provision) provides: (i) Adjustment of status of certain aliens physically present in United States (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (c) of this section, an alien physically present in the United States (A) who (i) entered the United States without inspection . may apply to the Attorney General for the adjustment of his or her status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. In order to be eligible for adjustment of status under that provision, an alien who entered without inspection must: (i) have an immigrant visa immediately available, INA § 245(i)(2)(B), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i)(2)(B); and (ii) be otherwise admissible to the United States for permanent residence, INA § 245(i)(2)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i)(2)(A).
A separate provision of the INA sets forth categories of aliens, who, [e]xcept as otherwise provided in the INA, are ineligible to be admitted to the United States. INA § 212(a), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a). Among the categories of aliens deemed inadmissible are those aliens who enter[ ] or attempt[ to reenter the United States without being admitted and who have previously been ordered removed. INA § 212(a)(9)(C)(i)(II), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(9)(C)(i)(II). Section 1182(a)(9)(C)(i)(II) provides a lifetime bar on admission, subject to a discretionary waiver by the Secretary of Homeland Security permitting an alien to reapply for admission from abroad after at least ten years have elapsed since the alien's latest departure from the United States. This consent to reapply exception provides that: [The permanent bar to admissibility] shall not apply to an alien seeking admission more than 10 years after the date of the alien's last departure from the United States if, prior to the alien's reembarkation at a place outside the United States or attempt to be readmitted from a foreign contiguous territory, the Attorney General has consented to the alien's reapplying for admission. INA § 212(a)(9)(C)(ii), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(9)(C)(ii).
INA § 241(a)(5), 8 U.S.C. § 1231(a)(5) (the reinstatement provision) provides that: If the Attorney General finds that an alien has reentered the United States illegally after having been removed or having departed voluntarily, under an order of removal, the prior order of removal is reinstated from its original date and is not subject to being reopened or reviewed, the alien is not eligible and may not apply for any relief under this chapter, and the alien shall be removed under the prior order at any time after the reentry.
8 C.F.R. § 212.2(e) provides: Applicant for adjustment of status. An applicant for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Act [8 U.S.C. § 1255] . . . must request permission to reapply for entry in conjunction with his or her application for adjustment of status. This request is made by filing an application for permission to reapply, Form I-212, with the district director having jurisdiction over the place where the alien resides. If the application under section 245 of the Act has been initiated, renewed, or is pending in a proceeding before an immigration judge, the district director must refer the Form 1-212 to the immigration judge for adjudication.