Opinion ID: 1266137
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Applicability of the Physical Presence Requirement

Text: Ramos first disputes that special rule cancellation requires seven years of physical presence for the minor children of NACARA beneficiaries. He notes that the amended version of section 309(c)(5)(C)(i)(III) of IIRIRA does not include a physical presence requirement, and contends that Form I-881, the NACARA application, confirms this interpretation of the Act. Although Ramos accurately describes subsection III, he fails to consider section 309 in its entirety. The amended section 309(f)(1) expressly states that an applicant must be described in [section 309](c)(5)(C)(i) ... and ... ha[ve] been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 7 years immediately preceding the date of such application. 111 Stat. 2198 (emphasis added). Form I-881 exactly mirrors the wording of section 309, and thus is of little aid to Ramos's argument. Ramos also incorrectly suggests that the regulations themselves support his interpretation. Section 1240.66 unequivocally states that to be eligible for NACARA relief, an applicant must be described in § 1240.61 and must satisfy the physical presence requirement. 8 C.F.R. § 1240.66(a), (b)(2). The relevant legislative history also undermines Ramos's argument that there is no seven-year physical presence requirement for derivative NACARA applicants. See, e.g., 143 Cong. Rec. S12265-01, S12266-67 (daily ed. Nov. 9, 1997) (Explanatory Memorandum Regarding Title II of the D.C. Appropriations Potion [sic] of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill Submitted by Messrs. Mack, Graham, Abraham, Kennedy, and Durbin) (section-by-section analysis of NACARA). We therefore hold that a minor who qualifies for NACARA relief as a derivative under 8 C.F.R. § 1240.61(a)(4) must satisfy the seven-year physical presence requirement set forth in 8 C.F.R. § 1240.66(b)(2).