Assert Your Rights before you lose your freedom!

If the police stop you, you could tell them... "I hereby assert my Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate myself; I demand that my attorney be present at any further questioning. Please ask me no further questions until my attorney is here. I refuse to consent to any searches of my person, my premises or my vehicles." Be non-confrontational and polite.

Immigration Alert

In March 1999, the Immigration Court decided that it would not allow expugements to cure the inability of persons with minor criminal records to immigrate, avoid deportation or apply for naturalization.

Convictions for minor crimes like assault (domestic violence) or theft can lead to deportation for long-term legal permanent residents.

Even an harassment conviction that involves an alleged domestic violence crime can lead to deportation. An individual admitting fault as part of diversion agreements may be deported based on that admission even where the criminal charge is eventually dropped by the criminal court due to the successful completion of the diversion agreement.

Therefore, if you are applying for a green card, naturalization or have any business with the immigration 'service' and you have any criminal record, consult with an immigration attorney, before going to your appointment at the INS. It does not matter if your crime occurred twenty years ago or yesterday. If the police or Immigration Service has ever detained you, speak with an immigration attorney.

Regardless of your immigration status, do not get into trouble with the law.

If you do get into trouble with the law on even a seemingly minor criminal charge, see an immigration attorney to help you deal with the criminal problem in a manner that may enable you to stay in the USA.

If you have been convicted of a crime, see an immigration attorney to see if you can potentially win at a deportation hearing by "cancellation of removal" and to see if any other waivers of removal (deportation) or other relief is available.

For additional information wrongfully deported