Immigrants who have a legal right to be in the United States can be deported if they violate U.S. immigration laws. One of the most common reasons for deportation is evidence that the individual has been convicted of a crime. Specifically, a non-citizen may risk deportation if they are convicted of either an “aggravated felony” or what is called a “crime of moral turpitude.”
Crimes of moral turpitude include, but are not limited to:
- Larceny
- Fraud
- Voluntary manslaughter
- Spousal abuse
- Aggravated DUI (in some cases)
If you commit a crime of moral turpitude during the first five years since your admission to the U.S., you may be put into deportation proceedings. You may also face deportation if you commit two or more crimes of moral turpitude that did not arise out of a single scheme of misconduct at any time after your admission to the U.S.
There is an extensive list of aggravated felony crimes that could also get a person deported. These include, but are not limited to:
- Murder
- Rape
- Drug trafficking
- Firearms trafficking
- Child pornography
- Money laundering
- Sexual abuse of a minor
- Theft or violent crime (with a sentence order of at least one year)
- Fraud or tax evasion (involving more than $10,000)
An aggravated felony conviction will make it very difficult for a person to avoid deportation. If convicted, the individual will be rendered permanently inadmissible to the U.S. It is critical for accused individuals to immediately seek the services of a lawyer.
Convictions of espionage, sabotage, or treason, drug crimes, and firearms offenses may also be grounds for deportation.
If you have been accused of a crime and are potentially facing deportation, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal attorney who can defend you against your charges. At Suzuki Law Offices, we offer personalized representation backed by decades of combined experience. Led by a former prosecutor, our firm skillfully handles even the toughest criminal cases. Don’t lose your right to stay in the United States – contact us today and let us fight for you!