Dissent by Judge Kozinski
OPINION
REINHARDT, Circuit Judge:
Abraham Villalba Saldivar (“Saldivar”), a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”). In an unpublished, single-member decision, the BIA held that he was statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal because he could not establish seven years of continuous residence in the United States after having been “admitted in any status.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a)(2). Saldivar was “admitted” in 1993 when he was waved across the border after inspection by an immigration officer. Therefore, we must address only whether this “admission” was “in any status.” Because the phrase “in any status” plainly encompasses every status recognized by immigration statutes, lawful or unlawful, we hold that Saldivar’s procedurally regular admission in 1993 was an admission in any status under § 1229b(a)(2) and grant his petition for review.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Saldivar entered the United States in 1993 as a ten-year-old child when he was “waved through inspection” by an officer at the port of entry in San Ysidro, California. In 2001, Saldivar married Desiree Lu-zano, a United States citizen. The couple has three children, who are also U.S. citizens. On October 11, 2006, Saldivar adjusted his status to lawful permanent resident (“LPR”). About six years later, on September 25 and 26, 2012, he was convicted in California Superior Court of possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia used for smoking a controlled substance.
On November 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security served Saldi-var with a Notice to Appear, alleging that he was removable pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) as a noncitizen convicted of a controlled substance violation. At Sal-divar’s hearing, the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) found that the charge in the Notice to Appear was proven by clear and convincing evidence, rendering him removable.
Saldivar applied for cancellation of removal pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a). Before conducting a hearing on the application for cancellation of removal, the IJ ordered the parties to submit briefs addressing whether Saldivar was statutorily eligible for that form of relief. Based on the written submissions, and without taking any evidence or testimony as to whether Saldivar was in fact “waved through the border” in 1993, the IJ determined that he was ineligible for cancellation of. .removal as a matter of law. He reasoned that, even if Saldivar had been waved through in 1993, he still could not establish the requisite seven years of continuous residence in the United States after being “admitted in any status” under § 1229b(a)(2). According to the IJ, Saldivar’s “procedurally correct inspection and admission” in 1993 could not be considered an admission “in any status” because “mistaken admissions do not confer a status, either permanent or otherwise.” Nor could Saldivar rely on his LPR status to satisfy the seven-year continuous residency requirement: his controlled substance violation cut off his .period of continuous residence approximately six years after he adjusted his status to LPR.
. The BIA affirmed the IJ’s decision. It rejected Saldivar’s argument that he was “admitted in any status” in 1993 when he was waved across the border. Relying on In re Blancas-Lara, 23 I. & N. Dec. 458, 460 (BIA 2002), the BIA concluded that an “admission with procedural regularity,” such as being waved through the border by an immigration officer, “is not tantamount to admission ‘in any status,’ either immigrant or nonimmigrant.” Therefore, it held, Saldivar could not establish continuous residence for seven .years after being admitted in any status and was not eligible for cancellation of removal. Saldivar timely petitioned for review.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
“Because the BIA wrote its own decision and did not adopt'the IJ’s decision, we, review the BIA decision only, not the IJ’s decision.” Aden v. Holder, 589 F.3d 1040, 1043 (9th Cir. 2009). We review de novo the BIA’s determination of legal questions. Vitug v. Holder, 723 F.3d 1056, 1062 (9th Cir. 2013).
ANALYSIS
In order to establish eligibility for cancellation of removal, Saldivar, must demonstrate that he: “(1) has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than five years, (2) has resided in the United States continuously for seven years after having been admitted in any status, and (3) has not been convicted of any aggravated , felony.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a). The parties do not dispute that Saldivar satisfies the first and third requirements. The only dispute is whether Saldivar was “admitted in any status” when he entered' the United States in 1993.
A. Saldivar was “admitted” in 1993 when he was waved through the border.
For purposes of this appeal, we assume that Saldivar entered the United States in 1993 and that he was “waved through” the port of entry by an immigration officer.1 We reaffirm that an alien is “admitted” when he presents himself for inspection and is waved through a port of entry, in accordance with our precedent and the BIA’s longstanding interpretation of “admission.” See Hing Sum v. Holder, 602 F.3d 1092, 1100-01 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010); In re Areguillin, 17 I. & N. Dec. 308, 309-310 (BIA 1980) (concluding that respondent was “admitted” when “an immigration officer at the port of entry looked inside the car, asked the driver a question, then permitted the car and its occupants [including respondent] to proceed into the United States”). In Areguillin, the BIA explained that “ ‘[a]dmission’ occurs when the inspecting officer communicates to the applicant that he has determined that the applicant is not inadmissible ... [by] permitting] the applicant to pass through the port of entry.” Id, at 310 n.6. As we have explained previously, the BIA has consistently “defined ‘admission’ in procedural terms.” Hing Sum, 602 F.3d at 1100 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010). When Congress adopted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (“IIRIRA”) amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) in 1996, it “expressly incorporate[d] this procedural definition” of “admission” at 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(13)(A). Id.2 As both parties agree, a procedurally regular admission requires only “an inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.” Id. Thus Saldivar was “admitted” when he- was waved through the border in 1993.
B. Saldivar was admitted “in any status” in 1993.
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Dissent by Judge Kozinski
OPINION
REINHARDT, Circuit Judge:
Abraham Villalba Saldivar (“Saldivar”), a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”). In an unpublished, single-member decision, the BIA held that he was statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal because he could not establish seven years of continuous residence in the United States after having been “admitted in any status.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a)(2). Saldivar was “admitted” in 1993 when he was waved across the border after inspection by an immigration officer. Therefore, we must address only whether this “admission” was “in any status.” Because the phrase “in any status” plainly encompasses every status recognized by immigration statutes, lawful or unlawful, we hold that Saldivar’s procedurally regular admission in 1993 was an admission in any status under § 1229b(a)(2) and grant his petition for review.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Saldivar entered the United States in 1993 as a ten-year-old child when he was “waved through inspection” by an officer at the port of entry in San Ysidro, California. In 2001, Saldivar married Desiree Lu-zano, a United States citizen. The couple has three children, who are also U.S. citizens. On October 11, 2006, Saldivar adjusted his status to lawful permanent resident (“LPR”). About six years later, on September 25 and 26, 2012, he was convicted in California Superior Court of possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia used for smoking a controlled substance.
On November 1, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security served Saldi-var with a Notice to Appear, alleging that he was removable pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) as a noncitizen convicted of a controlled substance violation. At Sal-divar’s hearing, the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) found that the charge in the Notice to Appear was proven by clear and convincing evidence, rendering him removable.
Saldivar applied for cancellation of removal pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a). Before conducting a hearing on the application for cancellation of removal, the IJ ordered the parties to submit briefs addressing whether Saldivar was statutorily eligible for that form of relief. Based on the written submissions, and without taking any evidence or testimony as to whether Saldivar was in fact “waved through the border” in 1993, the IJ determined that he was ineligible for cancellation of. .removal as a matter of law. He reasoned that, even if Saldivar had been waved through in 1993, he still could not establish the requisite seven years of continuous residence in the United States after being “admitted in any status” under § 1229b(a)(2). According to the IJ, Saldivar’s “procedurally correct inspection and admission” in 1993 could not be considered an admission “in any status” because “mistaken admissions do not confer a status, either permanent or otherwise.” Nor could Saldivar rely on his LPR status to satisfy the seven-year continuous residency requirement: his controlled substance violation cut off his .period of continuous residence approximately six years after he adjusted his status to LPR.
. The BIA affirmed the IJ’s decision. It rejected Saldivar’s argument that he was “admitted in any status” in 1993 when he was waved across the border. Relying on In re Blancas-Lara, 23 I. & N. Dec. 458, 460 (BIA 2002), the BIA concluded that an “admission with procedural regularity,” such as being waved through the border by an immigration officer, “is not tantamount to admission ‘in any status,’ either immigrant or nonimmigrant.” Therefore, it held, Saldivar could not establish continuous residence for seven .years after being admitted in any status and was not eligible for cancellation of removal. Saldivar timely petitioned for review.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
“Because the BIA wrote its own decision and did not adopt'the IJ’s decision, we, review the BIA decision only, not the IJ’s decision.” Aden v. Holder, 589 F.3d 1040, 1043 (9th Cir. 2009). We review de novo the BIA’s determination of legal questions. Vitug v. Holder, 723 F.3d 1056, 1062 (9th Cir. 2013).
ANALYSIS
In order to establish eligibility for cancellation of removal, Saldivar, must demonstrate that he: “(1) has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than five years, (2) has resided in the United States continuously for seven years after having been admitted in any status, and (3) has not been convicted of any aggravated , felony.” 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a). The parties do not dispute that Saldivar satisfies the first and third requirements. The only dispute is whether Saldivar was “admitted in any status” when he entered' the United States in 1993.
A. Saldivar was “admitted” in 1993 when he was waved through the border.
For purposes of this appeal, we assume that Saldivar entered the United States in 1993 and that he was “waved through” the port of entry by an immigration officer.1 We reaffirm that an alien is “admitted” when he presents himself for inspection and is waved through a port of entry, in accordance with our precedent and the BIA’s longstanding interpretation of “admission.” See Hing Sum v. Holder, 602 F.3d 1092, 1100-01 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010); In re Areguillin, 17 I. & N. Dec. 308, 309-310 (BIA 1980) (concluding that respondent was “admitted” when “an immigration officer at the port of entry looked inside the car, asked the driver a question, then permitted the car and its occupants [including respondent] to proceed into the United States”). In Areguillin, the BIA explained that “ ‘[a]dmission’ occurs when the inspecting officer communicates to the applicant that he has determined that the applicant is not inadmissible ... [by] permitting] the applicant to pass through the port of entry.” Id, at 310 n.6. As we have explained previously, the BIA has consistently “defined ‘admission’ in procedural terms.” Hing Sum, 602 F.3d at 1100 & n.7 (9th Cir. 2010). When Congress adopted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (“IIRIRA”) amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) in 1996, it “expressly incorporate[d] this procedural definition” of “admission” at 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(13)(A). Id.2 As both parties agree, a procedurally regular admission requires only “an inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.” Id. Thus Saldivar was “admitted” when he- was waved through the border in 1993.
B. Saldivar was admitted “in any status” in 1993.
Because Saldivar was undisputedly “admitted” in 1993, we must decide whether that admission was “in any status.” We conclude that it was.
The government erroneously contends that we should defer to the ■ BIA’s construction of 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a)(2) undér Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837, 8.44, 104 S.Ct. 2778, 81 L.Ed.2d 694 (1984). Chevron requires us to accept the BIA’s reasonable constructions of statutory terms in the INA, but' only if those terms are ambiguous. See Henriqueis-Ri-vas v. Holder, 707 F.3d 1081, 1087 (9th Cir. 2013) (en banc). Here, because the text of the INA “unambiguously bars” the BIA’s interpretation, “that is the end of the analysis,” and we must remand so that the Board may apply § ,1229b(a)(2) in light of our holding.3 See Valenzuela Gallardo v. Lynch, 818 F.3d 808, 815 (9th Cir. 2016); see also Mellouli v. Lynch, — U.S.-, 135 S.Ct. 1980,1989, 192 L.Ed.2d 60 (2015) (explaining that where the BIA’s interpretation “makes scant sense,” it “is owed no deference under” Chevron doctrine).
Only the Fifth Circuit has previously considered the precise issue before us, and that court held unequivocally that the statute is unambiguous. We agree with our fellow circuit and its reasoning. Accordingly) we join the Fifth Circuit in concluding that the “plain meaning of the phrase ‘any status’ ” unambiguously includes “all states or conditions, of whatever kind, that an alien may possess under the immigration laws,” including any lawful or unlawful status. Tula Rubio, 787 F.3d at 293, 294 n.5.
“Although the word ‘status’ is not defined in the INA, its general meaning is ‘[a] person’s legal condition.’” Id. at 293 (quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1542 (10th ed. 2014)); see also In re Blancas-Lara, 23 I. & N. Dec. at 460 (“ ‘Status’ is a term of art, which is used in the [INA] in a manner consistent with the common legal definition,” i.e. “a ‘[standing; state or condition,’ and as ‘[t]he legal relation of [an] individual to [the] rest of the community.’ ” (alterations in original) (quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1264 (5th ed. 1979))).4 In § 1229b(a)(2), “status” is modified by the word “any,” which, when “[r]ead naturally, ... has an expansive meaning, that is, ‘one or some indiscriminately of whatever kind.’ ” Ali v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, 552 U.S. 214, 219, 128 S.Ct. 831, 169 L.Ed.2d 680 (2008) (quoting United States v. Gonzales, 520 U.S. 1, 5, 117 S.Ct. 1032, 137 L.Ed.2d 132 (1997)); see also Do Sung Uhm v. Humana, Inc., 620 F.3d 1134, 1153 (9th Cir. 2010) (“The word ‘an/ is generally used in the sense of ‘all’ or ‘ever/ and its meaning is most comprehensive.” (quoting Fleck v. KDI Sylvan Pools Inc., 981 F.2d 107, 115 (3d Cir.1992))).
Because Congress “did not add any language limiting the breadth of [the] word ‘any' ” to § 1229b(a)(2), we must read the phrase “in any status” as “referring to all” states or conditions that an alien may possess under the INA, including both lawful and unlawful status. See Gonzales, 520 U.S. at 5, 117 S.Ct. 1032 (emphasis added); Tula-Rubio, 787 F.3d at 293. Indeed, the INA repeatedly refers to both “unlawful” or “lawful” status, meaning that the phrase “in any status” elsewhere in the Act must encompass unlawful status. See, e.g., 8 U.S.C. § 1644 (“Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, no State or local government entity may be prohibited, or in any way restricted, from sending to or receiving from the Immigration and Naturalization Service information regarding the immigration status, laivful or unlawful, of an alien in the United States.” (emphasis added)); 8 U.S.C. § 1255a(a)(2)(A), (B) (requiring certain noncitizens to establish continuous residence in an “unlawful status” for adjustment purposes); 8 U.S.C. § 1365(b) (referencing “unlawful status”); see also Tula-Rubio, 787 F.3d at 295 & n.6 (citing provisions in the INA that refer to “lawful status,” and noting that such provisions would be superfluous if “status” is equivalent to “lawful status”). The fact that other provisions of the INA use the word “status” to refer to unlawful immigration status confirms that the phrase “any status” must be read to encompass unlawful, as well as lawful, status. See Sorenson v. Sec’y of Treasury of U.S., 475 U.S. 851, 860, 106 S.Ct. 1600, 89 L.Ed.2d 855 (1986) (“The normal rule of statutory construction assumes that ‘identical words used in different parts of the same act are intended to have the same meaning.’ ”) (quoting Helvering v. Stockholms Enskilda Bank, 293 U.S. 84, 87, 55 S.Ct. 50, 79 L.Ed. 211 (1934)); Tula-Rubio, 787 F.3d at 295.5
The government’s argument that “in any status” means “in any lawful status” is facially incorrect. First, the word “lawful” is conspicuously absent from the broadly inclusive phrase “in any status” in § 1229b(a)(2). One need look no further than § 1229b(a)(1), the immediately preceding provision, to confirm that Congress understands the necessity of using the word “lawful” or “lawfully” when it intends to be restrictive. See 8 U.S.C. § 1229b(a)(1) (requiring that an alien “has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence for not less than 5 years” to be eligible for cancellation of removal) (emphasis added).6
Second, the government argues that unless we read “in any status” to mean “in any lawful status,” we will render the phrase “in any status” surplusage. Again, the immediately antecedent provision, § 1229b(a)(1),. reveals the government’s error, The phrase “in, any status” is not surplusage: instead, it serves to distinguish § 1229b(a)(2) from § 1229b(a)(1), which requires that an alien seeking cancellation of removal be “lawfully admitted for. permanent residence for not less than 5 years.” As the Fifth Circuit has rightly observed, “this structure very clearly indicates that Congress intended to establish two distinct duration requirements—one that demands a period following admission in any status and one that demands a [shorter] period of residency after admission” to LPR status. Tula-Rubio, 787 F.3d at 296. Unlike the narrower preceding . provision in § 1229b(a)(l), which requires lawful admission to LPR status for at least five years, Congress chose fo apply § 1229b(a)(2)’s seven-year continuous residency requirement to admission in any status, lawful or unlawful.7
The structure of § 1229b thus confirms what was already unambiguously clear from the plain meaning of the text: the statute requires continuous presence for seven years after a procedurally lawful admission in any immigration status, lawful or unlawful.8 Perhaps, had Congress required admission “in any status whatsoever” in § 1229b(a)(2), the government might have acknowledged that unlawful status was covered by the phrase it now finds ambiguous. However, as we have explained, the term “any,” in its plain meaning, is all-inclusive and any further language would be pure surplusage. In short, any is any, and a status is a status, be it lawful or unlawful.
CONCLUSION
Under the facts as we assume them to be, Saldivar was admitted to the United States in 1993, albeit in an unlawful status. Because he established continuous residence in the’United States for more than seven years after this admission, the BIA erred as a matter of law in concluding that Saldivar was statutorily ineligible for cancellation of removal. Saldivar’s petition for review is GRANTED, and we VACATE and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.