When Criminal History Haunts a Non-Resident
Criminal charges can have major consequences for immigrants. A criminal accusation made in the past, even if the case was dismissed years ago, may cause you to be denied U.S. citizenship or to be deported.
At the Law Office of Vard R. Johnson in Boston, I provide aggressive deportation defense and handle other immigration complications that arise out of criminal charges.
A Dismissal Does Not Mean You Are Safe
Immigration law is not always logical. Sometimes when an immigrant is charged with a crime, the accused is put on probation for a year. If there are no problems during that time, the criminal case is then dismissed. Even though there was no conviction under state law, this incident will be considered a conviction in immigration law if the accused admitted the facts of the crime. Suddenly, the individual learns that he or she may be deported for an incident that the criminal court dismissed.
Every Criminal Offense Must Be Examined For Its Immigration Impact
No criminal offense can be ignored when it comes to immigration. Each must be examined in detail to determine what adverse immigration consequence may result from the offense. The most common offenses that raise serious immigration issues involve theft, including shoplifting, other crimes of moral turpitude, assault, domestic violence, other crimes of violence, sex offenses, including statutory rape, drug possession or trafficking and other aggravated felonies.
When the immigrant applies for permanent residency or citizenship, the government will track down the immigrant's criminal history. If any crime or crimes render the immigrant deportable, the government very likely will initiate deportation proceedings. As your attorney, I will analyze the offense and your situation under immigration law. If you and I decide the offense will cause you immigration harm, we will see if there is a reasonable basis in fact or law for the criminal court to vacate the crime, and I will try to get that done for you. If not, I will see whether there is any basis under immigration law to get the crime forgiven (or waived). If so, we will go down that avenue. Rest assured, I will work hard to prevent your criminal history from causing you immigration issues.
Contact a Massachusetts Immigration Lawyer Today
Are you concerned about the immigration consequences of a criminal conviction or charge? Contact me online or call me at 617-830-1392. My office is located in historic Boston, three blocks from the Immigration Court. I have received an AV Peer Review Rating* through Martindale-Hubbell for approximately 30 years.*
* CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies.
