Chicago Criminal Immigration Lawyer

Helping Our Clients Avoid Severe Immigration Consequences

Facing charges or living with a criminal conviction is challenging, regardless of who you are. Unfortunately, immigrants dealing with these issues have even more to worry about. That’s because criminal charges can directly affect a person’s immigration status or their ability to obtain citizenship or become lawful permanent residents. If you or a loved one have been charged with crimes under state or federal laws, it’s important to take action. Chicago criminal immigration lawyers may be able to help.

At Gilliam Law, our legal team focuses entirely on issues linked to immigration law. This means we assist individuals seeking legal residency, but we also defend those in danger of losing their status or facing deportation proceedings. Being charged and convicted of a crime is one of the quickest ways to derail your ability to stay in America or secure other benefits, so if you’ve been accused, you should not hesitate to seek legal counsel.

At Gilliam Law, we offer Free Case Evaluation to help potential clients better understand their situations. Contact us today to learn more.

How Does Criminal Law Affect Immigration Law?

Criminal law and immigration law are closely interconnected in the United States. The alleged criminal activities of immigrants — whether they are lawful permanent residents (green card holders), visa holders, or undocumented individuals — can have significant consequences on their immigration status and their ability to remain in the country. A conviction could derail an immigration application that’s already in progress, make an individual inadmissible to the country, or even result in immediate deportation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

It’s also possible that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services could deny, revoke, or choose not to renew a work permit when an immigrant is convicted of a crime. America has a vested interest in reducing crime, and one of the primary ways of doing this is not to allow individuals in the country who may engage in violations of criminal law. Every immigration benefit comes with an expectation, and high moral turpitude is one such expectation.

However, this often results in immigrants being overcharged — and wrongful arrests are not uncommon. This is why it’s so important to speak with a Chicago criminal immigration lawyer when accused of a crime. Doing so could dictate your future in America.

What Should You Do After Being Arrested?

If you or a loved one has been arrested, it’s crucial to remain calm and silent. Even undocumented immigrants have the right to remain silent, which can protect you from self-incrimination. Anything you say to the police could be used against you, even if you believe it helps your case. In some situations, simply being present can imply guilt.

The American criminal justice system is complex, making silence essential. Additionally, contacting a criminal defense attorney is vital. Police may claim you don’t need representation if you “just tell the truth,” but that’s misleading.

The big mistake most people make is believing that a prosecutor is offering a fair plea deal. They’ll tell you that — by pleading guilty — you’re avoiding more serious charges. They’ll tell you that going to court will only result in more significant penalties. The critical thing to remember is that a criminal defense attorney can assist immigrants with plea deals when necessary — but more importantly, the possibility of having charges dropped or thrown out also exists.

Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

Whether you are an undocumented immigrant, a visa holder, or a lawful permanent resident, facing criminal charges is a serious matter. In fact, even naturalized Americans can face threats to their citizenship if it’s suspected that they engaged in fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process. However, no requirement under American law dictates that a person charged with a crime must seek legal counsel.

How Our Team Can Help Your Case

In fact, police and prosecutors may even suggest that hiring a criminal defense attorney isn’t in your best interest. This is never the case. The reality is that a Chicago criminal immigration attorney can help in a variety of ways:

Provide criminal defense, which could avoid all potential penalties
Assess potential immigration consequences so you understand the risks you’re facing
Engage in plea negotiations with prosecutors in an effort to minimize adverse effects on immigration status
Provision of post-conviction relief options such as vacating convictions, expungement, and more
Defense during removal proceedings stemming from criminal convictions
Apply for waivers of inadmissibility or removability
Representation during appeals and litigation
Apply for asylum and other forms of humanitarian relief
Exploring ways to adjust immigration status to avoid deportation
Provision of legal advice to better understand your options

Protect Your Immigration Status

Theft, marriage fraud, and murder carry different penalties but share one risk: deportation. To avoid removal or a lasting criminal record, a Chicago criminal immigration lawyer at Gilliam Law can help. Contact us for a Free Case Evaluation today.

Contact Our Chicago Criminal Immigration Lawyer Today

A criminal conviction can have lifelong consequences, especially for immigrants, leading to deportation, inadmissibility, or ineligibility for relief like asylum. Even “victimless crimes” can trigger these outcomes due to moral turpitude. Prosecutors may push for a guilty plea, but it’s crucial to consult a lawyer first.

At Gilliam Law, we understand how criminal charges can impact your immigration status. Our team is here to guide you through the complexities of immigration law.

However, our Chicago criminal immigration lawyer may be able to help you avoid the most severe consequences. Contact us today at (866) 511-3422 to schedule your Free Case Evaluation.

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