1. Immigration Consequences of Criminal Offenses
Unit 2: Immigration Consequences of Criminal Adjudications

2. Possible Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Texas
DEPORTATION: Forcible removal from the United States and the imposition of a legal bar from returning to the US for a certain period of time (INA §237(a) [8 USC 1227 (a)]).
INADMISSABILITY: Denial of re-entry to the United States attempting to return to the US from abroad (INA §212(a) [8 USC 1182]).
DETENTION: Detention in federal custody pending a deportation hearing (INA §236 [8 USC 1226]).

3. Possible Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Texas
While any or all of the three consequences noted on the slide before can flow from criminal activity by a client who is a non-citizen, perhaps the consequence that most concerns criminal defense lawyers is deportation.
Most crime-related deportation grounds requires a “conviction” to trigger a basis for deportation, raising the question:

4. Possible Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Texas
WHAT CONSTITUTES A “CONVICTION” FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES?

5. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
Under the INA, a conviction exists where there has been a formal adjudication of guilt entered by a court or if adjudication has been deferred, where all of the following elements are present:

6. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
A judge or jury has found the alien guilty, or the person entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or has admitted sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt; and

7. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
(2) The judge has ordered some form of punishment, penalty or restraint on the person’s liberty to be imposed.
INA § 101(a)(48)(A).

8. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
JUDGEMENT OF GUILT – PLEA OR VERDICT (INCLUDING PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE):
YES
INA § 101(a)(48) [8 U.S.C 1101(a)(48)

9. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
JUDGEMENT OF GUILT – APPEAL PENDING: NO
Matter of Devison, 22 I&N Dec (BIA 2000)

10. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
DEFERRED ADJUDICATION WITH PENALTY:
YES
Matter of Punu, 22 I&A Dec. 224 (BIA 1998)

11. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
DEFERRED ADJUDICATION WITH NO PENALTY IMPOSED: NO
Provided the court does not order some form of punishment. Payment of court costs would not be considered punishment.
See Mary E. Kramer, Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity, A guide to Representing Foreign-Born Defendants, 2nd Edition, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2005), at 47.

12. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
DISMISSAL NO

13. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
PRETRIAL DIVERSION (AKA “DEFERRED PROSECUTION” or “PLEA IN ABEYANCE”: NO
Pretrial diversion is not a conviction for immigration purposes as long as the process of securing pretrial diversion does not satisfy both prongs of the definition of conviction set forth in INA § 101(a)(48)(i) and (ii), [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(48)(i) and (ii)]

14. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
ADMISSIONS TO THE PROSECUTOR: NO
See Mary E. Kramer, Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity, A guide to Representing Foreign-Born Defendants, 2nd Edition, American Immigration Lawyers Association (2005), at 48.

15. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
EXPUNCTION AND RECORD SEALING:
YES
Matter of Roldan, 22 I&N Dec. 224 (BIA 1999)

16. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
VACATION OF A CONVICTION (ON THE MERITS): NO
Matter of Rodriguez-Ruiz, 22 I&N Dec (BIA 2000)

17. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
VACATION SOLELY RELATED TO IMMIGRATION:
YES
U.S. v. Reyes,945 F.2d 862 (5th Cir 1991)

18. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY DISPOSITION: NO
Matter of Devison, 22 I&N Dec (BIA 2000)

19. What is a “Conviction” for Immigration Purposes?
SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE:
YES
INA 101(a)(48)(B) [8 USC 1101(a)(48)(B)]

20. Damage Control Avoid Identification as Immigrant Subject to Detainer
Post bail as quickly as possible
Avoid a sentence to jail
Avoid final conviction if this is the only ground for deportation (except 1st, 5th, 7th Circuits may consider convictions on direct appeal final)
Avoid disclosure of nationality, immigration status or place of birth, especially during DHS interviews in jail or prison

21. Damage Control
DHS Interviews in Jails & Prisons: Advise Clients of Dos and Don’ts
Don’t say anything.
Don’t sign anything.
Don’t lie.
If you feel that you have to say something, only say, “I want to talk to my lawyer.”

22. Use the Quick Reference Chart
Quick Reference Chart for Immigration Consequences:
Look up offense by code section
Look to Chart to identify immigration consequences
Avoid Aggravated Felonies, Crimes Relating to Controlled Substances, Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude, and Crimes Involving Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Fraud, Firearms, Etc.

23. Resource Links – Where to Go for Help
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Defending Immigrants Partnership
NLG National Immigrants Project
NYSDA Immigrant Defense Project
ILGC