Manhattan Deportation Lawyers

Immigration and Deportation in the United States

The Dream of Immigration

Generations of people have left their native countries and come to the United States with a dream of making a life here. The rich history of welcoming immigrants, especially in New York, should not be diminished by an increasingly complex immigration system. The maze of paperwork and administrative requirements hounds those wanting to enter the country in ways that causes some to enter the U.S. without inspection. This unfortunately leaves them in fear of removal before their dream becomes a reality.

Manhattan deportation lawyers understand what inspiring immigrants and people with temporary visas are going through. With experience and knowledge of immigration law, they make every effort to remove the guesswork and give clients peace of mind.

Immigration Consequences When Facing Criminal Charges

Facing criminal charges is a serious issue for anyone. Being an immigrant facing deportation as a result of a crime adds to the concern. They are in jeopardy of removal even if they plead no contest for an act for which they are not convicted. Additionally, using fake or fraudulent documents can lead to being denied naturalization, reentry or a visa into the U.S.

Individuals here in a non-immigrant status may never have a chance of obtaining a green card. If they already have a green card, they may lose this hard-earned status and be deported.

These consequences for being in an immigration status are often illogical and harsh. Therefore, it is essential to understand how a criminal conviction – or implication of guilt – can affect the immigration status of you or a family member.

Living in the Shadows

Entering the country without proper documentation forces many to live on the fringes of society. This causes them to be denied employment that helps them care for their families. They are also unable to qualify for different government programs. Add to this living situation, they are also living under a constant threat of being discovered and deported.

To survive and avoid going back to a country some no longer know, they live in the shadows. Any work they find may expose them to being taken advantage of by not getting a fair wage. This type of work also keeps them from paying into the tax system.

If this is your situation or the situation of someone you love, a lawyer can help you understand the options as a non-citizen and how you can gain permanent legal residency. You may qualify for an adjustment of status such as deferred action if you came to this country as a child. If you or a loved one have already been discovered by immigration authorities, a deportation lawyer in Manhattan can zealously represent you during deportation proceedings and subsequent appeals.

Relief from Deportation

In many cases, relief from deportation is possible. It is critical that you speak with an experienced immigration lawyer if something from your past, such as a criminal charge, can trigger removal proceedings. Speaking with a lawyer is also important if you have received a Notice to Appear document.

Talking with a deportation lawyer before removal proceedings begin helps to give you a better idea of what you are facing, including the options available to you and your loved one. The lawyer will be able to present your case to the judge in the most favorable light.

• Locate a family member being held in immigration detention
• Find out if they are being transferred to another state
• Find out if your loved one can have visitors or phone calls
• Determine if they are eligible for bail or conditional release
• Make sure they receive sound legal advice if facing criminal charges

Find Manhattan Deportation Lawyers to Defend Your Rights

Manhattan deportation lawyers can advise you about your rights when you or a loved one face all matter related to immigration. This includes detention proceedings, knowing the status of a work or student visa, criminal charge or the risk of being deported as an undocumented immigrant based on illegal entry, removability or inadmissibility.

These lawyers are prepared to defend your rights during removal proceedings. The resolution of your case may occur through one of many legal strategies including:

• Adjustment of status
• Cancellation of removal
• Waivers of deportability and inadmissibility
• Appeals of removal orders
• Defensive asylum

There are some common factors that immigration judges look at when considering deportation waiver applications. This includes how long you or a loved one have lived in the U.S. with or without a green card, and if an immediate family member is a citizen.

If you or a loved one currently has a pending criminal case, Manhattan deportation lawyers can work to negotiate a resolution of the case or a sentence structure that does not have an adverse effect on your immigration status.

Manhattan is home to over a million people. Manhattan is also a place where commuters from other parts of city come to seek their daily fortune and work each day. People love the city. They appreciate the area’s many wonderful attractions including world class theaters, restaurants that some of the best in the country and the opportunity to interact with visitors from around the globe. While those who govern the city are happy to have people at their shores, they do want to make sure that those who come do so legally. At the same time, people who are in the city without permission of the government should keep in mind that many local law enforcement officials such as judges and police officers are given a certain amount of leeway when it comes to enforcing the nation’s immigration laws. Many in the community have an underlying sympathy for those who come in violation of American immigration laws. They may feel that certain matters may not even deserve to be prosecuted. People who are in the city illegally should keep in mind that not local officials feel this way. They should also keep in mind that many law enforcement officials are not inclined to feel this way when other charges are involved.

Criminal Charges

In general, there are several kinds of legal issues that a person may face in front of the law. Minor charges are charges such as traffic violations that may not carry anything beyond a minor fine. Other types of charges can be more serious. For example, using or selling drugs may lead to fines as well as jail time. A person may be sentenced to jail or prison for a minor offense such as shoplifting. People may face more serious charges. For example, someone who physically hurts another person may face serious charges that can mean a longer time in jail and even prison time. A violation of immigration laws can take many forms as well. Someone may have overstayed a visa. They may have been ordered to leave the country in the past and have not done so despite a prior history of legal immigration violations. Many judges and other law enforcement officials in New York City are willing to separate out the kinds of laws involved in such immigration. They are happy to listen to arguments as to why someone’s immigration violations need not result in deportation from the city.

A Lawyer At Your Side

Having a lawyer at the defendant’s side is a crucial. The lawyer is someone who can and will fight for the person’s needs during any criminal deportation proceedings. Officials in other parts of the country are well aware that New York city and Manhattan in particular is a place where it is possible to seek refuge from other parts of the country. Violations that would merit immediate removal from the country may not merit the same here. At the same time, they are also aware that even in New York City, people may still be in trouble should they choose to violate American immigration and criminal laws. New York judges and other law enforcement officials may feel that certain crimes such as hurting another person physical warrant the highest possible reaction. They may also feel that it is necessary to demonstrate that New York City will not tolerate such behavior. This is why it is important even in a place that welcomes those illegally present, to have a skilled lawyer at someone’s side. The lawyer can demonstrate to the court the extend of the person’s behavior and what mitigating factors may be present.

A Useful Response

The lawyer can show why it is not a good idea to send the defendant home even if they are facing both criminal and civil penalties. For example, the lawyer in the Manhattan courtroom may point out the crime was committed many years ago. Since that time, the defendant has been a law abiding citizen. They can also point out that the person has many existing ties with the rest of the community. Many lawyers are happy to help the defendant figure out how to craft a specific strategy that taps into the entire community. A person who is facing criminal immigration charges may still have a great deal of support from the community at large. Many local newspapers have a large number of daily readers. The defendant and his lawyer can take advantage of the vast audience in the region to bring attention to their client’s case directly. They can help showcase that the person is not merely a series of violations of immigration laws but rather someone who still has much to offer the community of New York City. This is an ideal defense for any person who is facing such charges.