What Crimes Can Get Immigrants Deported?

 Posted on October 04, 2022 in Immigration

Although first-generation immigrants in the United States are consistently shown to commit crimes at lower rates than those who were born in American, immigrants face disproportionate risks from being convicted of a crime - up to, and including, deportation. Even immigrants with green cards can be deported for violating certain laws.

Not all criminal convictions trigger deportation proceedings, and it is important to know which crimes could get you deported. If you are not a U.S. citizen and you have been accused of a crime, or even if you are just being investigated for a crime, it is important to retain aggressive legal immigration and criminal defense representation from an experienced Illinois attorney.

Crimes of Moral Turpitude

“Turpitude” is a somewhat old-fashioned word that means “evil” or “wickedness.” American courts have defined crimes of moral turpitude as those which involve fraud, larceny, and the intent to harm people or things. For example, theft - taking someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive that person of it - is usually a crime of moral turpitude. So are assault, domestic violence, and many other crimes involving lying, cheating, or violence. However, some crimes of this nature are considered petty enough not to be classified as a crime of moral turpitude, such as shoplifting goods valued under a certain amount of money.

Crimes of moral turpitude can trigger deportation proceedings for two reasons. First, if someone commits a crime of moral turpitude in the first five years after coming into the U.S., they may be deported. Second, if someone commits at least two crimes of moral turpitude that are not related to the same incident at any time after being legally admitted into the U.S., they may be deported.

Aggravated Felonies

Crimes that are considered aggravated felonies under immigration law are not necessarily the same as those which would be considered aggravated felonies or even felonies at all under state law in a given state. The crimes that are considered aggravated felonies include the following:

• Murder and manslaughter
• Federal drug trafficking
• Illegally selling certain firearms
• Failing to appear in court
• Rape and other forms of sexual assault
• Kidnapping and abduction
• Blackmail and extortion

This list is by no means exhaustive. If there is any question about whether the crime of which you are accused could be considered an aggravated felony under federal immigration law, contact an attorney.

It is important to note that there are even more crimes that can prevent a person who has left and then reentered the United States from getting a visa or green card. If you are seeking readmission to the U.S., talk with an immigration attorney to find out whether your criminal history would prevent you from obtaining reentry.

Meet with a Lombard Immigration Lawyer

If you or someone you love is facing deportation after committing a crime, act fast. Get help from an experienced Bloomingdale deportation defense attorney with Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices. We will work to keep your deportation case from moving forward and try to help you remain in the country legally. Call 630-932-9100 today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1227&num=0&edition=prelim