Immigration Challenges with Criminal Defense

Foreign visitors or immigrants face even multiple problems when they are arrested. A non-citizen dealing with criminal charges, or a defense attorney whose client has an issue relating to naturalization or immigration crimes seriously complicate matters.

Many offenses, such as petty theft, domestic abuse, drug offenses, and felonies, can lead to deportation and immigration consequences for noncitizens.

If you are an immigrant, a criminal conviction can make you ineligible for immigration into the U.S.. If you have a green card, you may lose your permanent residency and any chance for American citizenship. You could also be deported.

Effects of Guilty Pleas on Immigration Status

In the Immigration Court System, a guilty "plea" is considered a conviction for immigration purposes. Noncitizens should NEVER, enter a plea before understanding what immigration consequences may follow.

Immigration Consequences

The effects of criminal charges on naturalization and immigration can be devastating. Convictions can cause visa holders or non-US citizen permanent residents to lose their immigration status, and lose their chance to become citizens through naturalization, many times ending in deportation.

Contact Malee about your situation to discuss the immigration consequences of a criminal defense matter.

" Over the past decade, government funding for immigration enforcement has more than tripled, laws like the 1996 Immigration Reform Act (IIRIRA) have increased the power of enforcement officers to monitor and detain noncitizens, and the immigration detention system has become the fastest growing section of the U.S. prison industry. In this climate, the dangers of over-reaching enforcement practices that breach the basic civil liberties of immigrants (and citizens alike) has grown tremendously." ~National Immigration Project

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