There are certain criminal convictions that can cause immigration authorities in the United States to launch a deportation case against you. You can’t always tell if your conviction fell under the category of crimes that cause deportation just by looking at the name of the offense. You should always seek specialized advice from an immigration attorney experienced in deportation cases. The following types of crimes are considered “deportable” crimes. These include, but are not limited to:
- Homicide, rape, or sexual abuse of a minor.
- Illicit trafficking in controlled drugs (may include some crimes of drug possession.)
- Crime of violence for which you have received a sentence of one year or more, even if the sentence was suspended or if little or no time was served.
- Theft or robbery with escalation for which you have received a sentence of one year or more, even if the sentence was suspended or if little or no time was served.
- Some document forgery offenses for which you have received a sentence of one year or more.
- Fraud or deception offense in which the victim’s loss was more than $10,000.00.
- Certain prostitution business offenses.
- Some offenses of the trafficking of undocumented immigrants.
- Any crime of weapons or destructive device.
- Any drug offense, with the exception of a single offense of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use.
- Domestic violence crimes.
- Harassment or abuse, neglect or child abandonment.
- Some violations of protective orders (civil or criminal court.)
- It applies to convictions or violations of protection orders as of October 1, 1996.
Crimes related to moral turpitude (CIMT) This category of crimes is difficult to define and includes many types of crimes. Examples include, but are not limited to: Murder.
- Rape and many sexual crimes.
- Most crimes that require an intent to steal or defraud (such as robbery, larceny, hand robbery.)
- Some offenses of ace high.
You are deportable by an CIMT (Crimes related to moral turpitude) if:
- You committed the ITTA within the first five years after your admission to the U.S., and this is an offense for which you could have been given a sentence of one year or more (although your current sentence did not include jail time), or
- You committed two crimes related to moral turpitude not derived from a single act at any time after admission, regardless of possible or current conviction.
Other Offenses Other crimes, including some national security crimes and certain crimes related to immigration crimes. What Can I Do If I Have a Crime? It is highly recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney before making any cases that cause contact with the authorities including, traveling (domestic or international) and filing any type of application with the immigration authorities. In the next writing, I will explain the danger of traveling if you have had any type of criminal offense.
