Criminal Charges and Immigration

Defending Immigrants Against Criminal Charges and Removal Proceedings

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At the Amini Law Firm, P.S., we know that immigrants face an additional burden when they are charged with a criminal offense. A criminal conviction can cause immigrants to lose their immigration status. You may lose your green card, or have your visa revoked. Even pleading guilty to a lesser charge may have immigration consequences.

Combining experience with criminal defense and immigration law

It is important to talk with an immigration lawyer with criminal defense experience. At Amini Law Firm, P.S., attorney Susan H. Amini has been practicing both criminal law and immigration law since 1990. Ms. Amini was awarded an immigration law internship during law school, and has been helping immigrants ever since. She has also handled hundreds of criminal cases, successfully defending clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors. Her combination of experience and knowledge in both areas makes our law firm an excellent choice for immigrants who have been charged with a crime. Contact our Bellevue, Washington, office to speak with an attorney who can help you with both criminal and immigration matters.

Conviction of crimes of moral turpitude and aggravated felonies can lead to removal

Conviction of either an aggravated felony or a crime of moral turpitude can lead to removal, causing temporary visa holders or permanent residents to lose their immigration status. This also causes them to lose their chance to become citizens through naturalization. Crimes that may lead to deportation proceedings include:

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Rape and other sex crimes involving juveniles
• Theft of all types, including embezzlement, fraud, and shoplifting
• DUI second offense (depending on the state)
• Domestic violence
• Federal drug felonies

If you have been charged with an offense, it is important to contact a criminal defense attorney with immigration law experience. Our law firm will analyze your case and develop a defense or plea that puts you in the best situation possible. It is important that you not accept a plea without speaking with a lawyer who understands the consequences of criminal conviction on your immigration status.

Defenses against removal proceedings

If you have been convicted of a criminal offense and have become subject to removal proceedings, contact an attorney who knows how to defend people against deportation. Depending on the circumstances, we can use strategies such as:

• The need for asylum and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT)
• Petition to cancel the removal proceedings
• Petition to suspend deportation proceedings
• Contesting eligibility for removal

These defenses are rule driven, and require an attorney who understands immigration law thoroughly. We have been helping immigrants fight deportation proceedings since 1994. Attorney Susan H. Amini has the required knowledge of immigration law and criminal law. Contact our law firm today to learn how we can help you.

Experienced, Aggressive, and On Your Side