Oklahoma City Immigration and Criminal Defense Lawyers to Avoid Immigration Consequences

How can a criminal conviction affect immigration status?

A criminal conviction is always significant event for anybody. However, for an immigrant, a potential conviction can result in even more severe consequences. Even a misdemeanor crime such as domestic violence could lead to severe immigration consequences. A criminal conviction can lead to deportation, exclusion, loss of a visa or green status, and a denial of U.S. citizenship. The relationship between criminal and immigration law is complex. If you are a non-citizen, you need a lawyer who understands both Immigration and Criminal law.

Often times, a criminal plea deal has severe immigration consequences that a lawyer unfamiliar with immigration law would not understand. For example, a 'deferred sentence' or 'probation' may seem like a good deal to most non-citizens because he or she is unlikely to serve any jail time.

Unfortunately, if you accept a plea for 'deferred sentence' or 'probation', this will likely be deemed a conviction for immigration purposes. Even worse, if you are able to expunge your record, it is still considered a conviction for immigration purposes. If you are a non-citizen facing criminal charges, it is important that you hire a lawyer with knowledge in both criminal and immigration law.

If you are seeking an immigration attorney to assist with your deportation and removal defenses or if you have any questions, please call us at 405.600.9910. Free consultation available.

Potential (Non-Exhaustive) List of Crimes that can have Negative Immigration Consequences:

  1. Drug and Controlled Substance Crimes (including possession of marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs; possession of paraphernalia)
  2. Trafficking Controlled Substances
  3. Driving under the Influence (DUI and DWI)
  4. Theft Crimes (Larceny, Robbery, Burglary, Possession of Stolen, Concealing Stolen Property, and more)
  5. Firearms and Weapons Crimes
  6. Domestic Violence
  7. Sex Crimes (Rape, Forcible Oral Sodomy, Sexual Battery, Incest, Indecent Exposure, Sex Crimes against Children)
  8. Aggravated Felonies (Murder, Rape, Sexual Abuse, and more)
  9. Crimes of Violence (Assault, Battery, Aggravated Assault and Battery and more)
  10. Child Abuse and Child Neglect
  11. False Claim to U.S. Citizenship
  12. Fraud Crimes (Embezzlement)
  13. Homicide (First and Second Degree Manslaughter)
  14. Arson
  15. Extortion
  16. Prostitution
  17. White Collar Crimes (Credit Card Fraud, Securities Fraud, Bank Fraud, Mail Fraud, Tax Fraud, and Forgery)
  18. Crimes of Moral Turpitude
  19. And many more crimes

If you have already plead guilty to a crime but you didn't know of the deportation consequences at the time you plead, you may be entitled to reverse the conviction. For more information, please visit our Possible Relief from Past Criminal Convictions without Knowledge of Immigration Consequences Page.

If you are an immigrant or non-citizen who has been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime in Oklahoma, contact our Oklahoma immigration criminal defense lawyers for a free consultation at (405) 600-9910.