Criminal Immigration Evaluation

Do You Need a Criminal Immigration Evaluation? Here’s Why It’s Essential and How Barrera Legal Group Can Help

If you are a non-U.S. citizen facing criminal charges, the stakes are incredibly high. A criminal conviction can not only result in fines, jail time, and other penalties, but it could also jeopardize your immigration status. Whether you’re a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a visa holder, or someone without legal status, understanding the impact of criminal charges on your immigration case is crucial.

At Barrera Legal Group, we specialize in criminal immigration evaluations, helping our clients navigate both criminal defense and immigration law to protect their rights and their future in the U.S.

What Is a Criminal Immigration Evaluation?

A criminal immigration evaluation is an in-depth legal analysis that examines how criminal charges or convictions may affect your immigration status. This evaluation is vital because certain criminal offenses, even minor ones, can lead to severe immigration consequences, including deportation, ineligibility for naturalization, or denial of future immigration benefits.

At Barrera Legal Group, our criminal immigration attorneys work closely with criminal defense lawyers to evaluate:

The potential immigration consequences of a pending criminal charge or conviction
Whether plea deals or reduced charges could minimize immigration risks
What post-conviction relief options may be available to mitigate the immigration impact

Why You Need a Criminal Immigration Evaluation

Immigration law and criminal law intersect in complex and often confusing ways. Many criminal defense attorneys may not fully understand how a conviction or plea deal could impact your immigration status. Here are a few reasons why a criminal immigration evaluation is critical:

Avoiding Deportation or Removal – Certain criminal convictions, known as "aggravated felonies" or "crimes of moral turpitude," can lead to deportation, even if you are a lawful permanent resident. Our team evaluates whether the charges you are facing could result in removal and advises on the best course of action to avoid this outcome.
Protecting Your Eligibility for Legal Immigration Status – Even if you are not at risk of deportation, a criminal conviction could affect your eligibility for a green card, citizenship, or other immigration benefits. For example, certain convictions can render you ineligible for naturalization or adjustment of status. A criminal immigration evaluation helps you understand how to protect your ability to apply for or maintain immigration status.
Exploring Plea Bargains or Reduced Charges – In some cases, negotiating a plea bargain or having charges reduced can make all the difference in preserving your immigration status. We can work with your criminal defense attorney to explore plea options that minimize the immigration consequences of a conviction.
Post-Conviction Relief Options – If you have already been convicted of a crime, you may still have options to reduce the impact on your immigration status. Certain legal remedies, such as vacating a conviction or obtaining a post-conviction waiver, can help prevent deportation or restore your eligibility for immigration benefits. Our criminal immigration evaluation will identify the best post-conviction relief options for your case.

Common Criminal Charges That Impact Immigration Status

Not all criminal charges carry the same weight in immigration law. However, some offenses are particularly dangerous for non-citizens. A criminal immigration evaluation from Barrera Legal Group will help determine whether your charges could have severe immigration consequences. Some of the most problematic offenses include:

Aggravated felonies – This category includes a wide range of crimes, such as drug trafficking, firearm offenses, sexual assault, and certain theft offenses. An aggravated felony conviction can result in deportation and permanent ineligibility for most forms of immigration relief.
Crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs) – These crimes typically involve dishonesty, fraud, or intent to harm others. Examples include theft, fraud, and domestic violence. Even one conviction for a CIMT could lead to removal, depending on the circumstances.
Drug-related offenses – Convictions for drug offenses, even simple possession, can trigger deportation proceedings or render you ineligible for certain immigration benefits.
Domestic violence or child abuse – A conviction related to domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or child neglect can make you deportable.
Firearm offenses – Illegal possession, use, or sale of firearms is another serious charge that can lead to removal.

Understanding which charges carry immigration consequences is crucial to protecting your future in the U.S.

How Barrera Legal Group Can Help

At Barrera Legal Group, we have extensive experience handling complex cases at the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Our criminal immigration evaluation will help you understand your legal options and the potential consequences of your criminal case on your immigration status.

Here’s how we can help:

Comprehensive Evaluation – We will review your charges, criminal history, and immigration status to determine how a conviction could impact your legal standing in the U.S.
Collaboration with Criminal Defense Attorneys – We work closely with criminal defense lawyers to ensure that your immigration status is considered when negotiating plea deals or defending you in court.
Post-Conviction Relief – If you've already been convicted, we will explore post-conviction relief options to help mitigate the immigration consequences of your case.
Personalized Legal Strategy – Every case is different. We take the time to develop a personalized legal strategy that aligns with your goals, whether that’s avoiding deportation, maintaining your eligibility for legal immigration status, or applying for citizenship in the future.

Contact Barrera Legal Group Today for a Criminal Immigration Evaluation

If you are a non-U.S. citizen facing criminal charges, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The immigration consequences of a criminal conviction can be devastating, but with the right legal strategy, you can protect your future.

Contact Barrera Legal Group today to schedule a criminal immigration evaluation. Our experienced attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you build a defense strategy to safeguard your immigration status.