Being arrested is an overwhelming experience. Like other people who have faced criminal allegations in Louisiana, you are probably worried about your future. However, you have an added concern — your immigration status. Your legal status in the United States can be revoked if you are convicted of a crime. Here are a few things you will need to understand about criminal convictions and U.S. immigration law.
One type of conviction is when a judge sentences someone to jail or other type of punishment following a trial in court. However, pleading guilty to a charge or receiving a suspended sentence are also considered convictions. For the purpose of immigration, a deferred adjudication or diversion program might also be a conviction if they require the defendant to plead guilty first.
If you are convicted in any one of these or other ways, you can be arrested and detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement — ICE. At that point, your might lose your legal status and be deported. This can happen even over a seemingly minor conviction, like petty theft. Your status might be revoked even if your conviction was ultimately erased from Louisiana state records.
This is a scary time in your life, and you know just how much is on the line. It is important that you understand all of your options for facing your criminal charges. One of the best ways to do so is to familiarize yourself with U.S. immigration law and learn about how it will influence your criminal charges in Louisiana. You can find out more about this and other immigration topics on our website.