MEMORANDUM2

Mario Romero-Cortez appeals the 30-month sentence imposed following his guilty plea to being an alien found in the United States after deportation. Romero-Cortez contends that in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), the district court erred in imposing a sentence in excess of the two-year maximum set forth in 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) based upon a prior felony to which he did not admit, and which was not submitted to a jury and proven beyond a reasonable doubt. He *542also contends that Apprendi renders inapplicable Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998) (holding that 8 U.S.C. § 1326(b)(2) is a sentencing factor and not a separate offense), because he did not admit to an aggravated felony at his change of plea hearing. His arguments are foreclosed by this court’s recent decision in United States v. Pacheco-Zepeda, 234 F.3d 411 (9th Cir. 2000), as amended (Feb. 8, 2001). United States v. Castillo-Rivera, 244 F.3d 1020, 1024-25 (9th Cir. 2001). We deny his request to stay these proceedings.

AFFIRMED.