What Would Happen to My Immigration Case if I was Arrested?
On Behalf of Coughlon Law Firm, PLLC. | Jan 13, 2023 | Immigration
An arrest can cause many problems for your immigration case. If you are a legal resident and get involved in any unlawful practice or criminal accusation, it can lead to you getting deported. The level of impact is related to the current immigration status and the intensity of the offense.
Just an arrest for a criminal offense can cost you your residency as a legal citizen. Even if the criminal case was dismissed or the offense was not a criminal offense, the immigration status still faces trouble due to arrests.
What to do if You Get Arrested?
If you are arrested or facing any criminal charges, it is best to hire a criminal defense lawyer and an immigration lawyer. The criminal defense lawyer will help you proceed with the case and the charges. While the immigration lawyer will help you keep check on your immigration status. The immigration lawyer will also guide you on how to take appropriate steps to avoid deportation.
In case you are found guilty, you must ensure that it does minor damage to your current residential status. If there is no way to defend yourself against criminal charges, you can convince the prosecutor to make slight changes in the sentence. In these cases, you can spend a little extra time in jail to save your green card and residency status.
If you are convicted of a crime, other punishments include penalties or fines. Crimes like the abuse of drugs lead to deportation. The final decision mostly depends upon the government’s assessment of your action rather than the crime itself. Even if the case is dismissed, the immigration authority might not consider it a dismissal.
Your case can also get dismissed if there is a lack of proof. It is best to hire an experienced immigration attorney who can help you defend your case and make sure that your immigration status and green card remain intact. Arrest convictions also appear on your profile if you are applying for immigration and can hinder the process.
