How Does Being Charged With a Federal Crime Affect My Immigration Status?

The federal court system is very different than the state court system. It is much more complex and difficult to navigate. If you are ever charged with a federal crime, the first thing you should do is contact a Southern California federal crimes attorney. This is especially true if your immigration status is in question.

If you are facing federal charges, your immigration status will likely be affected, and your ability to stay in this country will be in doubt.

How a Federal Crime Affects Your Immigration Status

In some instances, a person may or may not know if he or she is a U.S. citizen. For example, being born in another country does not automatically exclude you from being a U.S. citizen. You may be able to acquire or derive U.S. citizenship from one or both of your parents.

The immigration code sections setting forth the rules on acquisition and derivation of citizenship are among the most difficult to decipher, and Congress frequently amends the relevant statutes, sometimes making the new provisions retroactive and sometimes prospective.

Whether an individual born abroad has acquired or derived U.S. citizenship turns on the confluence of several factors, including:

• What year you were born
• Whether both parents are U.S. citizens. If not, which parent?
• When your parent(s) became citizen(s)
• The marital status of your parents
• If born out of wedlock, whether you were legitimated
• The length of time the citizen parent(s) resided in the U.S. prior to your birth abroad
• Whether you were legally admitted to or resided in the U.S.
• Whether the non-citizen’s parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in the U.S. or ever became naturalized U.S. citizens

If you are a citizen of the U.S., a federal crime conviction will have no impact on your citizenship. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen and do not meet the qualifications to necessary to become a citizen of the U.S., committing a federal crime could lead to your deportation.

Call the Federal Crime Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich

If you are facing federal charges, you need speak with an experienced federal attorney at Wallin & Klarich immediately. Your entire life is at stake. Do not let a single mistake lead to years in federal prison or your deportation from this country. Call an experienced federal defense attorney today for a free, no obligation phone consultation.

At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled criminal defense attorneys have been successfully helping our clients accused of federal crimes for over 30 years. Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the complex federal court system and can help guide you through this difficult time. We will meet with you to discuss the facts of your case and develop a winning strategy for your defense. We’ve helped thousands of families in their time of legal need, and we can help you now.

With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina, and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich federal attorney available near you no matter where you work or live.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.