Let me say first of all that I share the Senators concern with the procedural abuses under this countrys immigration laws that have long been available to criminal aliens. The limitations on 212(c)-type eligibility for criminal aliens in the conference report. which appear in new section 240A(a). is intended to put an end to that. The reason the total bar on 212(c) review for criminal aliens in the Terrorism Act was revised to bar only aggravated felons was that. first. the definition of "aggravated felony" has been expanded to encompass most of the deportable crimes under old section 241. for which 212(c) review was barred in the Terrorism Act. Second. there was some concern that there might be certain rare circumstances we had not contemplated. when removal of a particular criminal alien might not be appropriate. For example. an alien with one minor criminal conviction several decades ago. who has clearly reformed and led an exemplary life and made great contributions to this country. we believed ought to retain eligibility for a waiver of deportation or exclusion.
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deportable deportation immigration