Periods of Lawful Temporary Resident Status and Lawful Permanent Resident Status To Establish Seven Years of Lawful Domicile

Résumé

This interim rule amends Department of Justice regulations that limit discretion to grant an application for relief under section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 1182(c), by expanding the class of aliens eligible for section 212(c) relief. This interim rule allows an alien who has adjusted to lawful permanent resident status pursuant to section 245A, 8 U.S.C. 1255a, or section 210, 8 U.S.C. 1160, of the Act to use the combined period of his or her status as a lawful temporary resident and lawful permanent resident to establish seven (7) years of lawful domicile in the United States for purposes of eligibility for section 212(c) relief. This interim rule will provide uniformity between the regulation and case law.