The last thing you want to do if you are on a visa or green card in the US is commit a felony. If you have a criminal record, immigration authorities can deport you or devaluate your status.
For non-citizens, crimes involving “moral turpitude” have severe repercussions. For non-citizens, crimes “aggravated felonies” also have harsh consequences. When a non-citizen commits an unacceptable offense, they usually lose their right to be deported. Those who conduct crimes with moral turpitude are liable for the same penalties. They often receive an inadmissible decision, which prevents them from ever entering the country again. Seek legal assistance if you are stuck in such a case.
How felony can affect your immigration status?
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Aggravated felony
Various crimes have been included in the definition of “aggravated felony” for immigration reasons. In state or federal courts, these offenses are considered misdemeanors. These offenses are occasionally regarded as behaviors that are not even crimes. In immigration law, a specific category is called an “aggravated felony.” They include various behaviors that Congress has designated as removable offenses.
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Crimes of moral turpitude
A court will label acts against the community’s established standards of conduct as crimes of moral turpitude. Some courts have considered the following offenses to be crimes containing moral turpitude; however, this is not a complete list:
- Perjury
- Child abuse
- Wire fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Money laundering
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Tax evasion
Other crimes that also qualify for moral turpitude are:
- Obstruction of justice
- Statutory rape
- Child pornography
- Domestic violence
- Alien smuggling
Immigration consequences for felony convictions
If you live as a foreign national, you might not get deported if you commit one of the above offenses. When evaluating the penalties that an immigrant to the United States may incur, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) considers many variables. Most of the deportation relief choices are optional. Aggravated offenses do, however, typically lead to deportation.
Consult your attorney
Conviction for some crimes can have severe consequences for your future, especially if you are an immigrant with an active visa. It is essential to speak with an immigration attorney if you are seeking to become a citizen of the United States or if a felony conviction has you concerned about your immigration status. A lawyer might help you with assessing your options.
