No immigrant wants to face deportation, but it can be even more intimidating when you are unfamiliar with the process and the language. That’s why our Russian immigration attorney is here to help you navigate this difficult situation.
Defending You Against Deportation
First of all, it is very important that you understand why you are being summoned to appear in immigration court as it will be vital to your eventual defense against deportation. There are a number of reasons why you may be cited, and these are the most common.
You Entered the United States Illegally
This tends to be one of the most common reasons people are summoned to immigration court with the intent to be deported. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, entering the United States illegally, that is, without going through an immigration officer, is considered a misdemeanor. In the criminal justice system, this means it is not a serious crime, but the punishment is almost always deportation if the court rules against you. Mechanisms exist to defend you against deportation even in cases of illegal entry, so it’s a good idea to find a Russian immigration attorney to represent you in court.
You Remained in the Country and Overstayed Your Visa
Statistics have shown that the majority of “illegal” immigrants who enter the country do not cross the border but enter on tourist visas and stay beyond the stipulated six-month limit. This also applies to those who stayed in the country beyond the limit of their work or student visa. If the government does not have a record of your departure before the time limit, you may be summoned to immigration court with the intention of being deported back to your country of origin. If you want to do what you can to avoid this and stay in the country, contact a Russian immigration attorney.
You’ve Been Convicted of a Crime
If you are an immigrant, legal or not, and receive a criminal conviction for any reason, you may be cited in immigration court. If you are in the country illegally, local authorities may have contacted federal immigration authorities after your conviction, informing them of your immigration status. If you remain in the country legally, the crime that led to your criminal conviction may be seen as a violation of your visa, making you a candidate for deportation. The particularities of each situation and the severity of the sentence will depend on your specific case.
Reach Out to Our Russian Immigration Attorney
Immigration paperwork of any kind and to any degree is usually easy to navigate. Therefore, it never hurts to have the help of a professional whose area of expertise is this. Here at Paniotto Law, our Los Angeles immigration firm, our team of attorneys is ready to help you with your case, no matter what it is. With our help, you will be able to move forward with your immigration process with the best chance on your side. Contact us by phone or by the form here on our website to schedule your free consultation and start your process. We are here to help you.