Opinion ID: 3150404
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: conclusion

Text: “Status” is not a generic term covering undocumented aliens who were mistakenly waved through a port of entry. Rather, it is well understood in immigration law that a “status” is one of a legally defined set of categories that confers the right to be present in the United States. The phrase “any status” in § 1229b(a)(2) refers to all of these legal bases. In contrast, an undocumented alien is without any status at all. To interpret “admitted in any status” as encompassing people who were illegal aliens when accidentally admitted is to empower cancellation of removal for anyone who has been an LPR for five years and resided in the country for seven years after having only been “admitted.” The panel had no authority to amend the law by depriving “status” of its customary meaning in immigration law and, worse, of any meaning in this provision. A True Copy Certified Oct 28, 2015 Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit A True Copy Certified Oct 28, 2015 Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit 14