Immigration Consequences of Crimes in Glendora: How Criminal Records Affect Your Status
Understanding which crimes can impact your immigration case
Quick Answer
Criminal records can seriously impact immigration status, from blocking naturalization to causing deportation. Understanding which crimes trigger immigration consequences helps you protect your status.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For Glendora immigrants with criminal history, understanding immigration consequences is crucial. SoCal Immigration Services provides guidance on how criminal records may affect your immigration case, though complex cases require attorney consultation.
Why Criminal Records Matter for Immigration
• Deny entry to the United States
• Block green card or visa applications
• Prevent naturalization (citizenship)
• Cause deportation/removal proceedings
• Bar you from returning after travel
Categories of Crimes Affecting Immigration
| Crime Category | Immigration Effect | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT) | Inadmissibility, deportability | Fraud, theft, assault with intent |
| Aggravated Felonies | Deportation, bar from relief | Murder, drug trafficking, sexual abuse |
| Drug Offenses | Inadmissibility (even possession) | Possession, sale, trafficking |
| Firearms Offenses | Deportability | Illegal possession, trafficking |
| Domestic Violence | Deportability | Spouse abuse, child abuse, stalking |
| Multiple Convictions | Aggregate sentence 5+ years | Multiple crimes combined |
Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)
• Fraud and theft crimes
• Crimes with intent to harm
• Crimes involving dishonesty
• Many assaults (depending on intent)
• Tax evasion and financial crimes
One CIMT can make you inadmissible. Two or more can make you deportable.
Aggravated Felonies
- •Murder, rape, sexual abuse of minor
- •Drug trafficking (even small amounts)
- •Firearms trafficking
- •Money laundering ($10,000+)
- •Theft or burglary (1-year sentence+)
- •Fraud ($10,000+ loss)
- •Child pornography
- •Alien smuggling
Drug Offenses
• ANY drug conviction (except one-time marijuana <30g)
• Even possession can make you inadmissible
• Admission of drug use without conviction counts
• No waiver available for drug traffickers
• Applies even if state decriminalizes
Effect on Green Card Applications
- •CIMT within 5 years of visa application
- •Multiple CIMTs anytime
- •Any drug offense (narrow exception)
- •Prostitution or commercialized vice
- •Multiple criminal convictions totaling 5+ years
- •Crimes showing you're a security threat
Effect on Naturalization
• Aggravated felony = permanent bar to citizenship
• Must show 'good moral character' for 5 years
• Crimes during statutory period cause denial
• Even old crimes can be considered
• Lying about crimes is additional ground for denial
Deportation Grounds
- •Any aggravated felony
- •CIMT within 5 years of admission (potential 1+ year sentence)
- •Two or more CIMTs anytime
- •Drug crimes (with limited exception)
- •Firearms offenses
- •Domestic violence crimes
- •Failure to register as sex offender
Petty Offense Exception
• Only ONE crime ever
• Maximum possible sentence was 1 year or less
• Actual sentence was 6 months or less
This exception only helps with inadmissibility, not deportation.
Waivers and Relief
- 1I-601 Waiver
Waiver of inadmissibility (requires qualifying relative)
- 2Cancellation of Removal
For long-term residents with US citizen/resident relatives
- 3Post-Conviction Relief
Vacating conviction in criminal court
- 4Prosecutorial Discretion
ICE/DHS may exercise discretion in some cases
What to Disclose
• All arrests (even without conviction)
• All convictions (including expunged in some cases)
• Juvenile adjudications (in some situations)
• Foreign convictions
• Traffic violations resulting in arrest
Lying is always worse than the underlying crime.
Glendora Immigration Criminal Guidance
- •Understanding potential immigration consequences
- •Gathering criminal record documentation
- •Preparing for disclosure on applications
- •Referrals to criminal immigration attorneys
- •Document preparation with full disclosure
- •Arabic and English speaking support
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Will a DUI affect my immigration case?
A: A simple DUI is generally not a CIMT, but it can still cause problems, especially multiple DUIs, DUI with injury, or DUI with high BAC. It can also show poor moral character for citizenship.
Q:Does an expunged conviction still count for immigration?
A: Usually yes. Immigration law generally doesn't recognize state expungements. An expunged conviction is still a conviction for immigration purposes in most cases.
Q:What if I wasn't convicted - just arrested?
A: Arrests without conviction generally don't make you deportable, but you must still disclose them on immigration applications. Multiple arrests can raise 'good moral character' concerns.
Q:Can I become a citizen with a criminal record?
A: It depends on the crime. Aggravated felonies are a permanent bar. Other crimes may only affect you if they occurred within the statutory period (usually 5 years). Consult an attorney.
Q:What is 'moral turpitude'?
A: There's no exact definition, but it generally means crimes involving fraud, dishonesty, or intent to cause serious harm. Theft, fraud, and many violent crimes are CIMTs. Traffic offenses usually are not.
Q:Should I hire an attorney for criminal immigration issues?
A: Yes, strongly recommended. Criminal immigration law is extremely complex. A small mistake can lead to deportation. An experienced criminal immigration attorney is essential for these cases.
Questions About Criminal Record and Immigration?
We can help you understand disclosure requirements and connect you with criminal immigration attorneys for complex cases.
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