Opinion ID: 2976683
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Original Proceedings in Immigration Court

Text: Beltran appeared pro se before an immigration judge in October 1995. He admitted the factual allegations and conceded deportability as charged. To avoid deportation, he petitioned for a waiver under former 8 U.S.C. § 1182(c),1 which allowed an immigration judge to provide discretionary relief from deportation for legal permanent residents. Following a hearing in February 1996, the immigration judge issued a decision finding Beltran deportable under § 1251(a)(2)(A)(ii) and denying his application for a § 1182(c) waiver on the merits. The judge ordered Beltran deported to the Philippines. 1 Former Section 1182(c) provided: Aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residen[ce] who temporarily proceeded abroad voluntarily and not under an order of deportation, and who are returning to a lawful unrelinquished domicile of seven consecutive years, may be admitted in the discretion of the Attorney General without regard to the provisions of subsection (a) of this paragraph (other than subsection (A), (B), (C), or (E) of paragraph (3)). Nothing contained in this subsection shall limit the authority of the Attorney General to exercise the discretion vested in him under section 1181(b) of this title. The first sentence of this subsection shall not apply to an alien who has been convicted of an aggravated felony and has served a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years. 8 U.S.C. § 1182(c) (1991). The last sentence of the section, pertaining to aliens convicted of aggravated felonies who have served five years in prison, does not apply to Beltran; it applies only to aliens admitted after the date of enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990 (November 29, 1990). Pub. L. No. 101-649, § 511(b). Section 1182(c) was subsequently amended by the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, Pub. L. No. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (1996), and repealed by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, Pub. L. 104208, 110 Stat. 3009-546 (1996). As discussed below, however, these laws do not apply to the proceedings in this case, since the proceedings commenced prior to 1996. 4