§ 249 (8 USC 1259) Record of admission for permanent residence in the case of certain aliens who entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972

A record of lawful admission for permanent residence may, in the discretion of the Attorney General and under such regulations as he may prescribe, be made in the case of any alien, as of the date of the approval of his application or, if entry occurred prior to July 1, 1924, as of the date of such entry, if no such record is otherwise available and such alien shall satisfy the Attorney General that he is not inadmissible under section 212(a)(3)(E) of this Act [8 U.S.C 1182(a)(3)(E)] or under section 212(a) of this Act [8 U.S.C 1182(a)] insofar as it relates to criminals, procurers and other immoral persons, subversives, violators of the narcotic laws or smugglers of aliens, and he establishes that he—

a.

entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972;

b.

has had his residence in the United States continuously since such entry;

c.

is a person of good moral character; and

d.

is not ineligible to citizenship and is not deportable under section 237(a)(4)(B) of this Act [8 U.S.C 1227(a)(4)(B)] .