Immigration Consequences of Criminal Offenses in Minnesota: A Guide from Jack Rice Defense
If you are facing criminal charges in Minnesota, it’s essential to understand the potentially serious immigration consequences that can arise from a conviction. Anyone convicted of a crime may confront various legal penalties, such as fines, probation, imprisonment, and additional sanctions like driver’s license suspension. However, if you are an immigrant, specific criminal convictions may severely affect your immigration status, potentially resulting in removal from the United States. For personalized assistance, reach out to Jack Rice Defense for a complimentary, confidential consultation.
“Criminal charges can have a huge impact on your life. If you are no an American citizen, it could be worse.”
Certain criminal convictions can also hinder your journey toward naturalized citizenship or may prevent you from immigrating to the United States altogether. During a private consultation, a skilled defense attorney can clarify the potential immigration implications of your criminal charges.
Criminal Convictions That May Lead to Deportation
Under federal law, various categories of crimes can serve as grounds for deportation for lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylum seekers convicted in state courts. These include:
Offenses involving the illegal use of firearms or explosives
Crimes of domestic violence, including stalking and violation of protective orders
Crimes against children
Controlled substance offenses, excluding simple possession of 30 grams of marijuana or less
Crimes of “moral turpitude”—especially those committed within five years of entry to the U.S. that carry over a year of imprisonment, or two such offenses at any time after legal admission
Aggravated felonies
Certain theft-related and white-collar crimes, such as bribery and perjury, may also be classified as aggravated felonies, which complicates the immigration status of legal immigrants. A knowledgeable attorney can provide further insight into which offenses might pose a risk to your immigration status.
Convictions that Result in Inadmissibility to the United States
Many criminal convictions automatically render an individual inadmissible for legal immigration to the United States, even with family connections in the country. Generally, anyone convicted of two or more offenses that resulted in a combined prison sentence of over five years, or those with a controlled substance or drug trafficking conviction, is ineligible for immigration.
Additionally, previous aggravated felony convictions can disqualify individuals seeking asylum or refuge. These convictions may also prevent current legal residents from seeking relief from deportation due to safety concerns related to their home country.
Can a Criminal Conviction Block Citizenship?
A pivotal requirement for naturalizing as a U.S. citizen is demonstrating “good moral character” during the five years before your application. Therefore, certain criminal convictions can pose a temporary barrier to legal permanent residents seeking citizenship, such as:
Controlled substance offenses aside from the simple possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana
Two or more offenses with a combined prison sentence of at least five years
Two or more gambling offenses
An aggregate imprisonment of 180 days in state jail
Multiple moral turpitude offenses or one singular offense that is punishable by a year or more in prison
“Knowing your rights is critical and the true impact of a criminal conviction is an important part of understanding what you are facing.”
Convictions for murder or aggravated felonies create a permanent barrier to citizenship and render individuals permanently inadmissible following deportation.
If you have further inquiries regarding how criminal charges impact immigration status, don’t hesitate to contact Jack Rice Defense. For those confronting serious criminal allegations in Minnesota, reach out for a free confidential consultation at 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. When your future is at stake, ensure that Jack Rice Defense stands by your side.