Orlando Immigration Attorney for Criminal Convictions

Orange County Lawyers Helping Immigrants Address Criminal Charges That May Result in Deportation

There are a variety of issues that could affect the immigration status of a person who has entered the United States on a visa or received a Green Card. If an immigrant is convicted of certain types of crimes, they may be detained by immigration officials, and they could potentially face deportation. In these situations or in cases where previous convictions affect a person's ability to legally enter the U.S., immigrants will need to understand the steps they can take to address these issues and live in the United States alongside their loved ones.

A skilled and experienced attorney can help immigrants and their family members determine the best ways to address criminal arrests or convictions. The Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC provides dedicated legal help with these matters, and with over 35 combined years of legal experience, our lawyers can ensure that immigration issues are handled correctly. Whether you are looking to sponsor a loved one for family-based immigration or need to avoid deportation, we will advise you of your rights and options, help you file the correct forms, and provide you with representation during immigration proceedings.

Inadmissibility Due to Criminal Convictions

If a person has been convicted of certain types of crimes, they may be considered inadmissible to the United States. These convictions may cause a person's visa application to be denied. If a person who is currently living in the United States with an immigrant visa or Green Card is convicted of a crime, they may be subject to deportation. Crimes that may make a person inadmissible include:

• Crimes of moral turpitude - A person will need to show that they are of "good moral character" to be eligible for immigration. Convictions that cast doubt on a person's morals and ethics may provide grounds for officials to decide that a person should not be admitted to the U.S. However, there are certain exceptions that may apply, including crimes committed by a person when they were under the age of 18, as long as the person was released from prison at least five years before applying for a visa, as well as petty offenses with a maximum sentence of one year in which a person was sentenced to no more than six months in prison.
• Drug-related offenses - Any violations of laws related to controlled substances in the United States or another country may be grounds for inadmissibility. These offenses may include drug possession, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, or aiding, abetting, or conspiring with others to commit drug-related crimes. Money laundering related to drug trafficking or other criminal activity is also grounds for inadmissibility.
• Prostitution - Anyone who has engaged in prostitution within 10 years of applying for a visa or Green Card, as well as anyone who has procured prostitutes or received payment or other benefits from prostitution, will be inadmissible. Other related offenses that may cause a person to be inadmissible include human trafficking or engaging in unlawful "commercialized vice."
• Terrorism - Activities such as taking hostages, assassinations, attacking people with international protections, hijacking or sabotaging planes or boats, or using explosives, firearms, or chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons to endanger one or more people or cause significant damage to property may be considered terroristic activity that is grounds for inadmissibility. A person may also be inadmissible if they are a member of a terrorist organization or have received military training from this type of organization.
• Multiple criminal convictions - If a person is convicted of two or more offenses that result in a total prison sentence of at least five years, they will be inadmissible.

Contact Our St. Petersburg Attorneys for Criminal Issues Affecting Immigration

Our lawyers can help you determine how to address criminal convictions that may affect your immigration status. If you are an immigrant who has been charged with a crime, we can consult with you to make sure you understand the effects of a guilty plea or conviction. We can also help immigrants and their family members determine whether they may be able to apply for waivers of inadmissibility that will allow them to enter the U.S. or receive a Green Card. Contact us by calling 407-955-5000 to arrange a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help with your case. We assist with criminal matters affecting immigrants in Orange County and throughout Florida, including Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Daytona Beach, Casselberry, Lake Mary, St. Petersburg, Kissimmee, Apopka, Winter Garden, Windermere, Tampa, Sanford, Lake Buena Vista, Oviedo, Clermont, Ocoee, Saint Cloud, and Leesburg Bay Lake.