Pedro Efrain Ramirez-Gonzalez & Martha Ardon De Ramirez v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Petitioners Pedro Efrain Ramirez-Gonzalez and his wife Martha Ardon de Ramirez appeal the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) denial of Mr. Ramirez’s application for suspension of deportation. We note jurisdiction and deny the petition for review.

I. FACTS

Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez, natives and citizens of Guatemala, were arrested by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for violations of immigration laws. Mr. Ramirez was charged with having entered the country illegally in August 1970 without inspection. Mrs. Ramirez was charged with having entered the country illegally in November 1974 without a valid visa or valid entry document. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez admitted the charges filed against them and conceded deportability.

Mr. Ramirez then applied for suspension of deportation under § 244(a)(1). This section grants the Attorney General discretion to suspend deportation of an alien if the alien can establish (1) a seven-year residence in the United States; (2) good moral character during that time; and (3) that deportation would result in extreme hardship to the alien or the alien’s spouse, parents or child who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Mr.…