If you are not a United States Citizen, your
criminal conduct can result in your removal or deportation.
Certain crimes, whether misdemeanor or
felony, can subject a person to removal or deportation based
on their nature. Although you may not have a “conviction” in
your Municipal or State charge, you may already have a
“conviction” for the Immigration Service. It is only a matter
of time for the Immigration Service to find you...and they
will find you!!!
The harshest penalties are reserved for a
category of crimes called "aggravated felonies." With a few
exceptions, it does not matter how or when the person may have
been convicted of the aggravated felony. It also does not
matter that the person pleaded guilty or no contest or went
through an entire trial - the only thing the immigration judge
is concerned about is whether the person was convicted of an
aggravated felony.
Aggravated felonies include murder, rape,
drug possession or trafficking, money laundering, firearm
violations, arson, any crime of violence, whether against
people or property, for which the term of imprisonment imposed
is at least 1 year, theft offenses, "national defense"
offenses, bribery, counterfeiting, forgery, vehicle theft, and
perjury. Foreign convictions could also qualify.
Other crimes, even if not considered
aggravated felonies, will make a person deportable by
designation under the immigration laws.
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, and you
face criminal charges, or have convictions, you need our
experienced immigration lawyers to help you!!
Our experienced immigration attorneys in
removal and deportation should be consulted to determine the
effect of any conviction on your right to stay in the country.
Our attorneys will advise you on the possibility of
overturning the conviction or reducing the charge (perhaps
because you pleaded guilty without being told that the
conviction could lead to deportation).
Don’t be fooled into thinking that because
you have your green card, you can’t be deported!
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