Sejid Smriko v. John Ashcroft, Attorney General of the United States

*281 OPINION OF THE COURT

STAPLETON, Circuit Judge.

Sejid Smriko was a lawful permanent resident of the United States for less than five years when he committed a crime involving moral turpitude that, under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(A)®, subjects one to deportation. Smriko was admitted to the United States, however, with “refugee status,” pursuant to a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) that implements the United Nations Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Smri-ko requested that the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) terminate his removal proceedings because, he argued, refugee…