Barron-Flores

MEMORANDUM *

Julio Barron-Flores appeals the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (“BIA’s”) determination that he was ineligible to seek discretionary relief from deportation pursuant to INA § 212(c) (initially codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1182 (c) but subsequently repealed) or a discretionary waiver of inadmissability pursuant to INA § 241(a)(1)(E)(iii) (initially codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1251 (a)(1)(E)(iii) (1987) and now codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1227 (a)(1)(E)(iii)). We affirm. Because the parties are familiar with the factual and procedural history of this case, we will not recount them here.

1. We review the BIA’s interpretation of the INA de novo. Ladha v. INS, 215 F.3d 889, 896 (9th Cir.2000). Because Mr. Barron-Flores’ immigration proceedings commenced prior to April 1, 1997, the provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 are not applicable here. Rivera Morena v. INS, 213 F.3d 481 , 485 n. 3 (9th Cir.2000).

2. Mr. Barron-Flores, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with deportability for entry without, inspection in violation of INA § 241(a)(1)(B). Because there is no comparable ground for exclusion under INA § 212(a), he is ineligible for a waiver…