Those who have immigrated to the United States may face harsh consequences for any alleged involvement in criminal activity. These possible consequences include immigration detention and deportation. Legal assistance is necessary to protect current immigration status and to preserve future eligibility for permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.
Fortunately, not all crimes will lead to deportation. An important factor for deportation is that a conviction must have occurred, or there was an admission of guilt accompanied by some form of punishment. This means that simply being accused, arrested or charged with a crime does not mean you will be deported. It is the result of these charges that are important. Some criminal cases can even be resolved without a conviction on your record, but which U.S. immigration authorities will still consider a conviction and may lead to deportation proceedings. It is therefore absolutely critical to begin protecting yourself at the first sign of legal trouble with guidance from a criminal defense lawyer experienced in complex U.S. immigration law.
The following section contains a partial list of crimes that could result in deportation upon conviction:
- Theft or Fraud offenses
- Assault (including domestic assault, aggravated assault, and sexual assault)
- Drug offenses (including simple possession as well as trafficking offenses)
- Firearms offenses
- Felony offenses
- Multiple criminal convictions
Some offenses will qualify for an exception to deportability, others will require a waiver to prevent deportation, and some will bar you permanently from any U.S. immigration benefit. Every person’s case is different based on their set of circumstances. Building a successful criminal defense is a Tennessee immigrant’s best tool against possible deportation. It is wise to take your case to an attorney for careful review. By working together, you have a good chance of defending your reputation and remaining in the United States for the rest of your life. If you are seeking help after a conviction, it is possible to set aside the conviction if your constitutional rights were violated.
Even if a criminal conviction does not result in deportation, it can still prohibit you from obtaining U.S. citizenship. Talk to an experienced lawyer today. Call our office to speak with our lawyers at Saenz & Maniatis, PLLC.