The Supreme Court says someone brought to the U.S. as a child by legal immigrant parents can't avoid deportation for criminal activities.

The high court on Monday unanimously ruled against Carlos Martinez Gutierrez, who wants to keep from being deported as a criminal immigrant.

Immigrants facing deportation can get an exception if they've been here for at least seven continuous years and have been legally registered as an immigrant for at least five years. The high court, in a decision written by Justice Elena Kagan, agreed with the government position that a person cannot use his parents' qualification under those rules to avoid deportation.

The high court decision overturns an earlier ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.