California is home to many undocumented citizens from every part of the world. In situations where noncitizens are facing criminal prosecution, it will often lead to harsh immigration consequences.
For example, a conviction for domestic violence will subject a noncitizen to deportation and make them inadmissible to re-enter the United States and ineligible for citizenship or a green card.
Domestic violence related incidents that could impact immigration include:
- domestic battery;
- corporal injury on spouse;
- child abuse;
- felony false imprisonment;
- child endangerment,
- stalking and
- violations of a restraining order.
Our criminal defense lawyers might be able to help you avoid a conviction or negotiate with the prosecutor for a favorable plea-bargain to an offense that would not lead to deportation.
To give readers a better understanding of a domestic violence conviction on immigration, our California criminal defense attorneys are providing an overview below.
U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act
The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act describes undocumented citizens who are subject to optional or mandatory removal from the United States.
Once an undocumented citizen is in custody, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is notified and an immigration hold could be issued to prevent release from custody.
While these holds are not always honored in California jails, they are telling them not to release the undocumented citizen after they have served their sentence.
Rather, DHS will place them in federal custody and start removal proceedings.
The crime of domestic violence is described as any crime of violence that was committed against a current or former spouse, romantic partner, another person with whom the defendant has a child.
In context with immigration law, it's considered a crime of violence if there was attempted use of violence or threats of physical force, or the offense was a felony because it involved a substantial risk that physical force will be used to commit the crime.
A conviction for a domestic violence offense can not only result in harsh legal consequences, but just one domestic violence conviction can also lead to life-changing immigration consequences, including deportation, removal, or denial of naturalization.
Domestic Violence and Moral Turpitude Crimes
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a list of certain criminal convictions that would make an undocumented citizens deportable from the United States.
While domestic violence is not specifically on the list, some domestic violence offenses are considered crimes involving moral turpitude because of the type of behavior that is required for a conviction.
In some cases, the behavior required for a domestic violence conviction could be classified as an aggravated felony leading to removal proceedings.
It should be noted that any crime in California that could lead to a sentence of up to one year or longer can be considered a crime of moral turpitude for purposes of immigration.
This is important as almost all domestic violence convictions, even misdemeanors, has a potential sentence of up to one year in the county jail.
Therefore, by law, any conviction involving domestic violence can lead to deportation and make a undocumented citizen inadmissible to the United States.
Crimes of domestic violence that are also California crimes involving moral turpitude include the following:
- Penal Code 311.11 – Child Pornography,
- Penal Code 647.6 – Child Molestation,
- Penal Code 288 – Lewd Acts with a Minor,
- Penal Code 261.5 – Statutory Rape,
- Penal Code 243.4 – Sexual Battery,
- Penal Code 261 - Rape.
Deportation Hearing for Domestic Violence
If you are a lawful permanent resident, known as a “green card” holder,” or in the United States on a visa, you have the legal right to a formal hearing in before an immigration judge before you can be removed from the country.
In addition, you also hold the legal right to an appeal an unfavorable decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
If you are in the United States unlawfully, you don't have a legal right to this formal hearing and can be deported removed from the country by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to the fact you are here illegally.
How to Avoid Deportation for Domestic Violence
Avoiding a domestic violence conviction is the best way to avoid deportation from the United States.
In other words, if you are not convicted of a charge that makes you edible for removal under immigration law, you won't face deportation.
One way to avoid a domestic violence conviction is to accept a plea bargain for a lesser offense.
However, it's critical to note you must plead guilty to a California charge that doesn't carry adverse immigration consequences if you are unlawfully in the United States, including:
- Penal Code 242 - Battery,
- Penal Code 602 – Trespassing,
- Penal Code 236 – False Imprisonment (misdemeanor).
It should be noted it might be possible to accept a plea offer that does not carry any immigration consequences, or pleas that minimize any risk to immigration.
This is why it's critical to consult with our criminal defense lawyers to closely review any plea offers.
There are also situations where even if you are convicted, we might be able to assist you with post-conviction relief (writ of habeas corpus) or have your conviction reduced to a misdemeanor offense.
Contact Eisner Gorin LLP for Help
It's important to note that even a conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence can still result in removal proceedings.
This means you need to understand that if you have been charged with domestic violence, you are facing a real chance at deportation from the United States. In addition, if deported, a conviction could lead to denial of an application for citizenship.
As you can see, the consequences of a domestic violence conviction for undocumented citizens is a serious issue.
Therefore, if you have been accused of a domestic violence incident, you should discuss your situation with our experienced criminal lawyers.
We need to first closely review all the specific details of your case in order to determine an effective strategy for best possible outcome.
We have a track record of success and may be able to help you avoid deportation.
Eisner Gorin LLP is a criminal defense law firm located at 1875 Century Park E #705 Los Angeles, CA 90067. Contact our office at (310) 328-3776.
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