Opinion ID: 688397
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Finality of Melo-Marroquin's Criminal Conviction

Text: 14 Melo-Marroquin contends that the IJ erred by finding his conviction final for immigration purposes. This contention lacks merit. 15 We have repeatedly held that once an alien has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction and exhausted the direct appeals to which he is entitled, his conviction is final for immigration purposes. Grageda v. INS, 12 F.3d 919, 921 (9th Cir.1993); Morales-Alvarado v. INS, 655 F.2d 172, 175 (9th Cir.1981). Thus, a conviction subject to collateral attack or other modification is nonetheless final. Id. Because Melo-Marroquin has exhausted his appeal of right from his conviction, his conviction is final. Id. Therefore, his contention that his conviction was not final because he had a habeas petition pending before the district court lacks merit. See id.