If you’re like most immigrants, you know that you can be deported if you violate U.S. immigration laws – and one of the most common reasons for the government to place immigrants into removal proceedings is the commission of a crime.
Can You Be Deported if You Commit a Felony?
When a court convicts you of a crime of moral turpitude or an aggravated felony, you’re at risk of being deported from the U.S.
What is a Crime of Moral Turpitude?
There isn’t a strict definition of crimes of moral turpitude under U.S. immigration law, but according to the State Department, these types of crime often include “fraud, larceny and intent to harm persons or things.” In a nutshell, crimes that involve theft or dishonesty can be considered crimes of moral turpitude, as can assault, spousal abuse and some types of OWI.
In some cases, attorneys are able to successfully argue that crimes an immigrant has committed shouldn’t be considered crimes of moral turpitude – but that’s not always what happens. If you have been accused of this type of crime, your best bet may be to talk to a Milwaukee immigration attorney about your situation.
How Can You Be Deported Over a Crime of Moral Turpitude?
If you commit this type of crime within the first five years of your admission to the U.S. or you commit two or more crimes of this nature (that didn’t come from a single event or scheme of criminal misconduct) at any time after you’re admitted to the U.S., you are at risk for deportation. (If multiple convictions arise from a single event or scheme of criminal misconduct, they’re likely to be considered one crime when it comes to determining whether you’re deportable.)
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Removal Proceedings?
If you have a green card and are at risk of deportation because of a crime of moral turpitude or a felony, we may be able to help you.
Call us at 414-383-6700 for a consultation with a Milwaukee immigration attorney right away.
