Opinion ID: 701031
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Premature Review

Text: 9 Burgos contends that the hearing in which she sought section 212(c) relief should have been conducted closer to the end of her prison sentence in order to give her a better opportunity to show rehabilitation. This contention lacks merit. 10 First, rehabilitation is not a statutory prerequisite for section 212(c) relief, but rather is just one of the relevant factors to be considered. See Matter of Edwards, Int. Dec. 3134 (BIA 1990). Second, 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1252(i) requires the INS to begin any deportation proceedings as expeditiously as possible after the date of conviction. Thus, section 1252(i) represents Congress's disapproval with the INS's practice of waiting until an alien has completed his sentence to initiate deportation proceedings. See Gidding v. Chandler, 979 F.2d 1104, 1106 (5th Cir. 1992) (observing that during congressional debate over section 1252(i), Congress criticized the INS for delays in commencing deportation proceedings against incarcerated aliens). 11 Accordingly, Burgos has no right to delay deportation proceedings until she has served her sentence in order to bolster her request for discretionary relief under section 212(c). See 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1252(i).