Criminal and Immigration Violations
Often a seemingly minor criminal conviction can result in deportation from the United States or denial of a visa. Any non-citizen who is inside the United States or applying for a visa outside of the United States and who has ever been charged with a crime inside or outside of the United States (no matter how insignificant the crime may be) should consult with an attorney who is familiar with immigration law before making a plea in criminal court or filing any paperwork with a U.S. embassy/consulate or Citizenship and Immigration Services (‘CIS’).
By consulting with an immigration attorney before entering a criminal plea or going to trial on a criminal matter, you may be able to preserve your ability to enter the country legally or your right to remain in this country. A lawful permanent resident or non-immigrant visa holder who has ever been convicted of a crime should speak to an immigration attorney before leaving the country or applying to CIS for naturalization, greencard renewal or other benefits, because certain convictions can make you deportable or ineligible to return to the country.
A large part of John’s practice is devoted to advising non-citizens who have been charged with a crime or convicted of a crime about how an arrest or conviction will affect their immigration status. In some cases, a one-time legal consultation can put an immigrant’s mind at ease about his future in the country or prevent him from doing something that might jeopardize that future. In other cases, it may be necessary to have an immigration attorney work with your criminal attorney to make sure that your immigration concerns are not overlooked.
In some cases, if an arrest or conviction does harm a non-citizen’s immigration case, an immigration attorney who is familiar with criminal issues may be able to help you apply for a waiver that will allow you to get or keep your legal status if you qualify.
