Opinion ID: 44281
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: nacara

Text: Guido-Ruiz argues that the IJ should have stayed the removal proceedings pending a determination of whether he was entitled to relief under NACARA. We review legal determinations of the BIA or IJ de novo. See D-Muhumed, 388 F.3d at 817. An alien is eligible to apply for adjustment of status under the NACARA if he (1) is a national of Nicaragua or Cuba, and (2) has been present in the United States for a continuing period beginning no later than December 1, 1995, and ending no earlier than the date the adjustment application is granted. See NACARA §§ 202(a)(1), (b)(1) Children of Nicaraguan aliens can obtain permanent resident status under the NACARA if they meet certain requirements. See NACARA § 202(d). A child is “an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age who is . . . a child born in wedlock.” INA § 101(b)(1)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(b)(1)(A). Guido-Ruiz is not eligible to apply for relief under the NACARA on his own because he entered the country in October 1996. He, therefore, can obtain relief only as a beneficiary of his mother’s application. Because Guido-Ruiz reached the age of 21 before his mother’s application was processed, he does not qualify as a “child” under the NACARA. Although Guido-Ruiz argues that we should consider other immigration provisions that consider the age of the 8 applicant at the time the petition was filed, none of those provisions amend or expand the age provision of the NACARA. The IJ did not err in concluding that Guido-Ruiz was not eligible for adjustment under the NACARA.