Criminal Archives

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Drunk Driving and Deportation: Facts For Immigrants

Drunk driving is a serious criminal offense that can have serious consequences for non-citizens. An arrest for DUI/DWI, even if dismissed, can have serious consequences for your immigration status in the U.S. - including deportation: Visa revocation: The State Department...

Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Chicago Judge Rules Undocumented Immigrants Have Rights To Carry A Gun

A judge in Illinois recently ruled that a law banning undocumented immigrants from having guns might not be legal. Judge Sharon Coleman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued an opinion in U.S. v. Carbajal-Flores,...

Criminal Deportation

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Was Your Marijuana Conviction Expunged? It Will Still Hurt Your Immigration Case!

The sale and use of marijuana are now legal in Illinois and many other states. However, cannabis use is still considered a federal crime. Federal immigration law was mainly written in the 90s and makes no exceptions for medically prescribed...

Immigration Removal Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Removable Offenses and Permanent Bars to Good Moral Character

Being in the United States for both citizens and non-citizens means having to exist by the Federal, State, and Local laws that are in place and dealing with the consequences when they break those laws. However, non-citizens, alongside the normal...

Criminal Citizenship

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Citizenship FAQs: Can I Apply For Citizenship If I Have A DUI?

A DUI, or driving under the influence, does not automatically prevent you from becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. However, it can hurt your chances of being approved if you are found to lack "good moral character." The U.S. Citizenship and...

Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Study: Undocumented Immigrants Are Less Likely To Commit Crimes Than Native Born Citizens – But The Consequences Are More Severe

In a story discussing the Southern Border crisis, U.S. refugee, asylum and immigration policies, CBS Sunday Morning reported that according to a study by the United States Department of Justice: A study of Texas arrest data found that undocumented immigrants...

Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Federal Marijuana Pardons Do Not Apply To Undocumented Immigrants

President Joe Biden recently announced pardons for nearly 6,500 Americans convicted on federal marijuana possession charges. This is part of an executive order to decriminalize simple marijuana possession eventually. On October 6, 2022, The White House issued A Proclamation on...

Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Immigration Judges Can Now Consider Mental Health In Asylum and Deportation Cases

A new ruling says immigration judges can now consider the mental health of noncitizen immigrants who are convicted of an aggravated felony when considering their asylum claim or deportation appeal. On May 9, Attorney General Merrick Garland used the example...

Criminal

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

House Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill: Cannabis Remains Illegal Federally

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a marijuana legalization bill on April 1, 2022, however, cannabis remains illegal and a federal crime. Even though marijuana purchase and use are legal in Illinois, it is illegal on the federal level and...

Criminal Naturalization

Mario Godoy - Owner/Attorney

Should I Disclose An Expunged Criminal History When Applying for Naturalization?

A criminal record can cause you problems for years - even decades - during a routine criminal background check for employment or housing, or for an immigration application. Expungement is a chance for a fresh start. Under Illinois law, you could...

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