For non-citizens, a criminal case is never just a criminal case. A plea that looks minor can lead to mandatory detention and deportation. A crimigration lawyer focuses on that overlap between criminal and immigration law.
The stakes are high for green card holders, visa holders and undocumented people alike. Certain convictions make deportation almost automatic. However, careful planning before a plea can often avoid the worst outcomes. Therefore, get immigration advice before resolving any criminal charge.
This guide explains which convictions carry immigration consequences, how to protect yourself before a plea, and what relief exists after a conviction.
Convictions with immigration consequences
Immigration law has its own categories of crimes. The most serious is the aggravated felony. Despite the name, it includes some offenses that are misdemeanors under state law. Aggravated felonies generally bar most relief from removal.
Other categories include crimes involving moral turpitude, controlled substance offenses, firearms offenses and domestic violence offenses. Each can trigger deportability or inadmissibility. Furthermore, the precise wording of the statute of conviction matters greatly.
Why the record matters
Immigration courts look at the elements of the offense and, in some cases, the record of conviction. As a result, the charge you plead to and the facts in the record can change the immigration outcome completely. A criminal case review identifies these risks early.
Before you plead: protecting your status
In Padilla v. Kentucky (2010), the Supreme Court held that defense lawyers must advise non-citizen clients about deportation risks of a guilty plea. Nevertheless, many people still accept pleas without understanding the consequences.
Before you plead, ask about immigration-safe alternatives. For example, pleading to a different statute or adjusting the sentence length can sometimes avoid an aggravated felony. Consequently, coordinating your criminal and immigration strategy is essential.
Book a deportation and removal consultation before accepting any plea. It reviews the charge and explains the immigration risks in plain terms.
Relief after a conviction
A conviction does not always mean removal. Options may include cancellation of removal for permanent residents, waivers and, in some cases, asylum-related protection.
The 212(c) waiver
The old 212(c) waiver was repealed in 1996. However, under INS v. St. Cyr, it remains available to some permanent residents whose convictions came from pleas entered before April 1, 1997, if they meet the other requirements. For long-term residents with old convictions, this can be decisive.
Other waivers
Some inadmissibility grounds can be waived, such as through a 212(h) waiver for certain offenses. Our inadmissibility waiver service prepares those applications. Meanwhile, permanent residents should read our guide to cancellation of removal.
Post-conviction relief
Sometimes the best strategy is to attack the conviction itself. If a plea was legally defective, for example because of inadequate immigration advice, a criminal court may vacate it.
For immigration purposes, the reason matters. A conviction vacated because of a legal defect is generally no longer a conviction for immigration purposes. However, one vacated only for rehabilitation or to avoid immigration consequences usually still counts. Therefore, post-conviction motions must be grounded in a real legal error.
Expungement and pardons have limited immigration effect, but can still help in some cases. Read our guide to criminal appeals and post-conviction relief. If a removal order already exists, a motion to reopen may follow a successful vacatur.
Our Crimigration services in the USA
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
Deportation / removal consultation in the USA
A confidential 45–60 minute phone or video consultation with a licensed US attorney about deportation (removal) proceedings and the defenses available. Get straight answers on your rights, options, risks and likely costs, and a clear plan for your next steps.
It includes 45–60 minute call with a licensed US attorney — phone, video or WhatsApp, upload documents beforehand so your attorney is prepared, your rights, options, risks and likely costs in plain English. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Deportation / removal consultation — $399 See what's included →
Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in the USA
A written review of the charges, the likely penalties and immigration consequences, and your defense options for misdemeanor and felony cases.
It includes charge and elements analysis, sentencing exposure, immigration consequences flag (Padilla). Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo — from $149 See what's included →
Waiver of Inadmissibility (I-601 / I-601A / I-212) in the USA
Unlawful-presence, fraud and criminal waivers, and permission to reapply after deportation, built on extreme hardship to qualifying relatives.
It includes waiver eligibility analysis, extreme hardship declaration and evidence, i-212 permission to reapply. Moreover, it is usually ready in 14 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Waiver of Inadmissibility (I-601 / I-601A / I-212) — from $599 See what's included →
Deportation Defense — Removal Proceedings Package in the USA
Full document preparation for removal proceedings in Immigration Court: relief applications, declarations, evidence bundles and pre-hearing statements.
It includes relief analysis: asylum, cancellation, adjustment, waivers, voluntary departure, applications and declarations, evidence bundle with index and certificate of service. Moreover, it is usually ready in 10 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Deportation Defense — Removal Proceedings Package — from $599 See what's included →
Expungement consultation in the USA
A confidential 30-minute phone or video consultation with a licensed US attorney about clearing your criminal record (expungement). Get straight answers on your rights, options, risks and likely costs, and a clear plan for your next steps.
It includes 30-minute call with a licensed US attorney — phone, video or WhatsApp, upload documents beforehand so your attorney is prepared, your rights, options, risks and likely costs in plain English. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Pardon / Certificate of Rehabilitation in the USA
State or federal pardon applications and certificates of rehabilitation to restore rights after a conviction.
It includes eligibility review, application and personal statement, letters of support. Moreover, it is usually ready in 10 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Pardon / Certificate of Rehabilitation — from $299 See what's included →
Motion to Reopen / Reconsider (In Absentia or New Evidence) in the USA
Reopen a case after a missed hearing (in absentia order), lack of notice, changed country conditions or new eligibility, with a request for a stay.
It includes motion to reopen or reconsider, lack-of-notice / exceptional circumstances declaration, new evidence schedule. Moreover, it is usually ready in 5 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Motion to Reopen / Reconsider (In Absentia or New Evidence) — from $499 See what's included →
Crimigration services near you — every state we cover
Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.
Crimigration help in California
We prepare crimigration documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Los Angeles, Deportation / removal consultation in San Diego, Deportation / removal consultation in San Francisco. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in California.
Crimigration help in Texas
We prepare crimigration documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Houston, Deportation / removal consultation in Dallas, Deportation / removal consultation in San Antonio, Deportation / removal consultation in Austin. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Texas.
Crimigration help in Florida
We prepare crimigration documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Miami, Deportation / removal consultation in Orlando, Deportation / removal consultation in Tampa. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Florida.
Crimigration help in New York
We prepare crimigration documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in New York City, Deportation / removal consultation in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in New York.
Crimigration help in Illinois
We prepare crimigration documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Chicago. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Illinois.
Crimigration help in Georgia
We prepare crimigration documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Atlanta. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Georgia.
Crimigration help in Arizona
We prepare crimigration documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Phoenix. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Arizona.
Crimigration help in Pennsylvania
We prepare crimigration documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Pennsylvania.
Crimigration help in Washington
We prepare crimigration documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Seattle. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Washington.
Crimigration help in Colorado
We prepare crimigration documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Denver. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Colorado.
Crimigration help in Massachusetts
We prepare crimigration documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Boston. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Massachusetts.
Crimigration help in Nevada
We prepare crimigration documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in Nevada.
Crimigration help in New Jersey
We prepare crimigration documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Newark. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in New Jersey.
Crimigration help in North Carolina
We prepare crimigration documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Deportation / removal consultation in Charlotte. Similarly, see Criminal Charge Review & Defense Strategy Memo in North Carolina.
We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.
Deportation / removal consultation in every state
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Frequently asked questions
Can a misdemeanor get me deported?
Yes. Some misdemeanors count as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude under immigration law, and drug and domestic violence offenses carry their own consequences.
Should I talk to an immigration lawyer before pleading guilty?
Yes. The specific plea and sentence can determine whether you face mandatory detention and removal, so get advice before accepting any plea.
Is the 212(c) waiver still available?
For some permanent residents whose convictions came from pleas entered before April 1, 1997, if other requirements are met.
Does expungement remove immigration consequences?
Usually not. Immigration law generally still treats expunged convictions as convictions, unless vacated for a legal defect.
Do you help with crimigration cases in every state?
Yes. We review criminal and immigration consequences for cases across all 50 states.
Contact American Counsel
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✉ Email: support@american-counsel.com
🌐 Service area: online across all 50 US states and Washington, D.C.
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.