If an immigrant including a Green Card holder, H-1B visa holder or other lawful immigrants is arrested, the consequences could include loss of their immigrant visa or even deportation, even if they do not have a criminal conviction. It is critical for a non-citizen immigrant with a first-time arrest to hire an attorney with experience in both criminal defense and immigration law.
Crimmigration is the practice of criminal defense law for immigrants and non-citizens by lawyers who understand the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
Legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants can face severe consequences if they are arrested for a crime.
1. What Are My Rights?
If you are an immigrant and arrested it is important that you know your rights. A crimmigration lawyer can protect your legal rights. Lawful immigrants with a valid visa who are arrested have rights and not all offenses are deportable, or will result in loss of status. Undocumented immigrants have rights also.
Noncitizens do not have the same rights as American citizens. A skilled criminal defense and immigration lawyer can help a non-citizen explore the available options to stay in the country.
2. What If My Arrest Record Was Expunged
Even if you are found not guilty and your arrest record is expunged, the immigration officer looks at whether that offense counts as a conviction for immigration purposes and does not take into account how Illinois treats or labels that conviction.
3. What If I Am Arrested But I’m Not Convicted?
If you were arrested you can be found deportable by USCIS even if you were not convicted of a crime. United States immigration laws allow immigration authorities to rule that misdemeanors and low-level crimes can make a Green Card holder or other visa holders deportable. Immigrants and non-citizens with a criminal charge can also lose their immigration status, including the loss of a Green Card.
Don’t Let a First-Arrest End Your American Dream
Godoy Law Office’s experience in criminal law as a former assistant state’s attorney and dedication to immigration law gives us a distinct advantage that allows us to fight zealously on your behalf.
Small criminal offenses can have serious, long-term consequences for non-citizens. Know your rights, and protect your rights. If you or a loved one are charged with a crime, call an experienced crimmigration legal team with specialized knowledge of both criminal defense and immigration law. Our attorneys at Godoy Law Office practice criminal defense and immigration law. Call us today at 630-912-0322.
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AREAS WE SERVE: Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
