Opinion ID: 795806
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Statutory Bar to Establishing Good Moral Character

Text: 19 Chan argues that, even if the definition of aggravated felony applies retroactively to include his conviction, the District Court erred in holding that he cannot establish that he is a person of good moral character. Specifically, he asserts that 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f) is ambiguous because the introductory language referring to the period for which good moral character is required to be established contradicts the reference in section 1101(f)(8) to one who at any time has been convicted of an aggravated felony. § 1101(f)(8) (emphasis added). He claims that the relevant period for establishing good moral character in naturalization applications is the five-year residence requirement listed in section 1427(a)(1), and because his conviction occurred prior to that period, it is not relevant to the determination of his character. We find Chan's argument unpersuasive. 20 As we held in Boatswain v. Gonzales, an applicant convicted of an aggravated felony is precluded under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f)(8) from establishing good moral character regardless of when the conviction occurred. Boatswain v. Gonzales, 414 F.3d 413, 418 (2d Cir.2005). Contrary to Chan's interpretation, section 1101(f)'s reference to the period for which good moral character is required to be established is only an acknowledgment that the various provisions of chapter twelve attach different chronological conditions to the good moral character requirement contained in each. Boatswain, 414 F.3d at 418. Therefore, during the period for which good moral character is required, — i.e. the five years immediately preceding the date of filing his application, § 1427(a) — Chan remained one who at any time has been convicted of an aggravated felony. § 1101(f). It is particularly noteworthy, in this regard, that section 1101(f)(5) bars only one who has been convicted of two or more gambling offenses committed during such period  from establishing good moral character. § 1101(f)(5) (emphasis added). In contrast, one who at any time has been convicted of an aggravated felony cannot establish good moral character. § 1101(f)(8). Although Chan committed his aggravated felony more than five years in the past, he remains one who has committed an aggravated felony, and therefore, he may not receive naturalization.