1
(Slip Opinion)
OCTOBER TERM, 2019
Syllabus
NOTE: Where it is feasible, a syllabus (headnote) will be released, as is
being done in connection with this case, at the time the opinion is issued.
The syllabus constitutes no part of the opinion of the Court but has been
prepared by the Reporter of Decisions for the convenience of the reader.
See United States v. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 U. S. 321, 337.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Syllabus
BARTON v. BARR, ATTORNEY GENERAL
CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR
THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
No. 18–725. Argued November 4, 2019—Decided April 23, 2020
When a lawful permanent resident commits certain serious crimes, the
Government may initiate removal proceedings before an immigration
judge. 8 U. S. C. §1229a. If the lawful permanent resident is found
removable, the immigration judge may cancel removal, but only if the
lawful permanent resident meets strict statutory eligibility require-
ments. §§1229b(a), 1229b(d)(1)(B).
Over the span of 12 years, lawful permanent resident Andre Barton
was convicted of state crimes, including a firearms offense, drug of-
fenses, and aggravated assault offenses. An Immigration Judge found
him removable based on his state firearms and drug offenses. Barton
applied for cancellation of removal. Among the eligibility require-
ments, a lawful permanent resident must have “resided in the United
States continuously for 7 years after having been admitted in any sta-
tus.” §1229b(a)(2). Another provision, the so-called stop-time rule,
provides that a continuous period of residence “shall be deemed to end”
when the lawful permanent resident commits “an offense referred to
in section 1182(a)(2) . . . that renders the alien inadmissible to the
United States under section 1182(a)(2).” §1229b(d)(1)(B). Because
Barton’s aggravated assault offenses were committed within his first
seven years of admission and were c