SANCHEZ-LINN

Citations

• 20 I. & N. Dec. 362

Syllabus

SANCHEZ-LINN, 20 I&N Dec. 362 (BIA 1991) ID 3156 (PDF) (1) An applicant forregistry under section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C.§1259 (1988), must establish that he (a) entered the United Statesprior to January 1, 1972 (b) has had his residence in the United Statescontinuously since such entry (c) is a person of good moral characterand (d) is not ineligible to citizenship. (2) In order for an applicantfor registry to meet his burden of proving that he is at present a personof good moral character, he must show that he has been such for a reasonableperiod of time preceding the application. (3) The greater the gravityof an alien's past misconduct, the longer the period of intervening goodconduct must be before an applicant for registry may be able to meet hisburden of establishing that he is now a person of good moral character. (4) Applicants who haveengaged in conduct within the scope of any of the provisions of section101(f) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(f) (1988), may be required topresent compelling evidence that their character has changed. (5) An applicant forregistry can also be denied such relief in the exercise of discretion.