Could a Sex Crime Affect My Immigration Status?

 Posted on October 20, 2023 in Immigration

Immigration is targeting convicted sex offenders in the United States and has arrested nearly 140 noncitizen offenders. If you are convicted of a sex crime, you could be deported and banned from returning to the U.S. It is crucial to grasp how such a conviction can create an adjustment of status when it comes to immigration. You need an experienced immigration attorney to help you figure out your options and who will act fast.

What Are the Potential Consequences of Your Immigration Status?

The Immigration and Nationality Act outlines repercussions for those convicted of moral turpitude crimes, including sex crimes and aggravated felonies like rape, child pornography, and sex with a minor. Also, if you end up in ICE custody, deportation officers will assess whether to initiate removal proceedings. Keep in mind that noncitizens are entitled to due process in immigration courts, presided over by federal immigration judges.

If you are convicted of a sex crime, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will send you a Notice to Appear before a judge. This essentially kicks off the removal proceedings. A skilled attorney should know what to do and how to help you by filing for relief from removal. The end result is up to the discretion of the judge. ICE officers will simply carry out the removal decisions that are made by federal immigration judges.

 Could My Immigration Status Be Jeopardized?

If you are convicted of a sex crime, the impact can vary depending on your immigration situation and status in the following ways:

• Legal permanent residents could face detention during removal proceedings, potential deportation, and be denied future U.S. citizenship. Trying to re-enter the United States could lead to a 20-year prison sentence.
• Asylum seekers could be deported regardless of risks in their country of origin, with a sex crime conviction casting a long shadow on their path to permanent residency.
• Non-citizens with temporary legal status could lose their legal standing.
• All non-citizens could face removal from the U.S., irrespective of criminal involvement.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Plano Immigration Lawyer

If you are facing sex crimes and your immigration status is on the line you need a Dallas immigration lawyer right away. At Law Office of Jae Lee, we have more than 40 years of experience in immigration law and are here to help. The consequences are high, so call 214-295-3014 for a free consultation today.