A conviction for a VC 23152 or 23153 (DUI), can have immigration consequences, depending on the individual’s status. The conviction can be a damaging factor in discretionary decisions, including whether the person will be released from immigration detention on bond, or found to be of good moral character. It usually is a bar to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Simply being charged with a DUI can cause revocation of a non-immigrant visa (Without even the conviction). If combined with other factors or charges, a DUI arrest or conviction can lead to inadmissibility or deportability.

A conviction for a VC 23152 or 23153 (DUI), can have immigration consequences, depending on the individual’s status. The conviction can be a damaging factor in discretionary decisions, including whether the person will be released from immigration detention on bond, or found to be of good moral character. It usually is a bar to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Simply being charged with a DUI can cause revocation of a non-immigrant visa (Without even the conviction). If combined with other factors or charges, a DUI arrest or conviction can lead to inadmissibility or deportability.

Under current (as of 2017) law a California DUI conviction is not a per se ground of removability: it is not an aggravated felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or other inadmissible or deportable conviction. It’s possible that could change in the future.

I. Consequences of a Arrest or Conviction for a DUI

A. How can a DUI cause inadmissibility?

Most non-citizens who look for admission into the US must be admissible. A DUI conviction is not a ground of inadmissibility per se. A DUI charge or conviction nevertheless might cause inadmissibility in the following ways;

Inadmissible for convictions for 2 or more offenses of any type, with a total sentence imposed of 5 years or more. Conviction of two or more offenses over one’s lifetime, where in total a sentence of five years or more was imposed (including suspended sentences) causes inadmissibility.

DUI’s involving alcohol: Inadmissible as an alcoholic, which is a physical or mental disorder. A person who suffers from a disorder, including alcoholism, that poses a current threat to self or others is inadmissible.

Current drug addict or abuser: One or more DUI convictions relating to “drugs rather” than alcohol may alert the government to investigate whether the person is inadmissible as a current drug addict or abuser. The person is inadmissible on this basis only if the drug is a federally-defined controlled substance, and if the use was non-medical, meaning that a doctor did not prescribe the drug for the person. So, a person addicted to opioids prescribed by a physician, or other substances, is not inadmissible under this ground.

The standard is supposed to be whether the person meets current DSM diagnostic criteria for substance-related disorder…. However, advocates report that some U.S. consulates apply a different, older standard, where drug abuse can be found if the person admits engaging in more than one-time experimentation within the last three years.

The controlled substance inadmissibility ground also reaches a person who formally admits having committed all of the elements of a controlled substance offense, even without a conviction. An immigrant with a drug-related DUI should not admit to any DHS officer that she possessed a federally-defined controlled substance.

B. Good Moral Character

An applicant must establish that she has been a person of good moral character(GMC) for a set period of time (for example, the preceding five years) in order to qualify for naturalization to U.S. citizenship, as well as several forms of relief such as cancellation of removal for non-lawful permanent residents under INA 240A(b), benefits under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), one of the forms of voluntary departure, and registry.

To do this, first the person must show that she does not come within any of the bars to establishing GMC. Second, she must show that in fact she has been a person of good moral character during the required period. The adjudicator has discretion to decide the second question, using a balancing test to compare positive and negative factors. See discussion of “good moral character” at N.17 Relief Toolkit atwww.ilrc.org/chart.

Statutory or Regulatory Bars. Although a DUI itself is not an automatic bar to GMC, it might serve as one when combined with other factors. The person is barred if the following occurs within the period for which GMC must be shown. The following are can prevent an immigrant from showing GMC; 1) Habitual Drunkard. 2) Multiple convictions for a DUI might lead to a finding that one is a habitual drunkard. 3) Convictions for 2 or more offenses of any type, with a total sentence imposed of 5 years or more. 4) Confined to a Penal Institution for 180 Days or More. A person who, as a result of a conviction, has been in jail or prison for 180 days or more during the statutory period is barred from establishing GMC. This bar is triggered by how much time the person has actually been confined, not by what the official criminal “sentence” was. The conviction could be for a DUI or any other offense. 5) On Probation or Parole. Federal regulation prohibits naturalizing someone who is currently on probation or parole for any offense. This means that someone who is on probation or parole on the date of the interview cannot be granted naturalization. They can apply for naturalization while on probation or parole as long as probation or parole ends by the interview date.

GMC and Discretion. A person who is not barred from establishing GMC still must establish that she in fact has been of good moral character during the required period. Because a DUI conviction can be a serious negative factor in this determination, anyone with a recent DUI should consult with an expert advocate before applying for naturalization, or for immigration relief requiring GMC. If she does go forward, she should provide evidence that she is rehabilitated, along with all possible evidence of positive GMC factors, such as community service. The adjudicator must weigh the positive factors against negative ones in making the decision. Some regional offices, individual officers, and immigration judges, treat DUI’s more harshly than others do — so gathering information about local practices can be very valuable.

A DUI conviction may make a person ineligible to apply for, or at risk of losing, some other relief or benefits, regardless of whether or not the person is inadmissible or has good moral character.

A DUI conviction is a bar to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). A misdemeanor DUI conviction under Cal. Vehicle Code 23152 or 23153 is a “significant misdemeanor” and a bar to eligibility for DACA.

A DUI charge, even without a conviction, can trigger revocation of a non-immigrant visa such as an F-1 student or H-1 employment visa. Under recent policy guidance, a U.S. consulate may revoke a non- immigrant visa based on evidence that the person was charged with a DUI offense, even if there was no conviction. The consulate might send a letter to the person stating that the visa has been revoked and that she should return to the home country to meet with consular officials there. Noncitizens should not do this without speaking to an expert immigration advocate.

Possible Bar to Asylum or Withholding of Removal: Conviction of a “particularly serious crime” (PSC) is a bar to asylum and withholding of removal. Whether any given conviction is a PSC depends upon a number of factors, including the nature of the offense, the underlying facts, and the sentence imposed. Depending on the circumstances of the offense, a single DUI or multiple DUI convictions might be charged as a PSC barring eligibility for asylum or withholding of removal.

Enforcement priority: The Obama Administration created a list of offenses, which included any DUI, that would make the person an enforcement priority. The Trump Administration has abandoned the list approach and states that any undocumented person, especially one who may have committed any crime, is a priority. However, in practice a DUI conviction still makes the person a special target. In 2017, ICE agents have continued to go to the last known address to arrest and detain some undocumented persons with DUI convictions, including DUI convictions that are many years old.

Discretionary Denial of Immigration Bond: A DUI conviction often will result in a discretionary denial of bond and release from ICE detention. A reckless driving conviction is an adverse factor in bond and release determinations, but it appears to be significantly less damaging than a DUI.

D. Removability/Deportability

A DUI might lead to a charge of deportability if the DUI was with the charge of child abuse due to a child being in the car, if it’s determined that the DUI is based on an addiction as opposed to an indiscretion, or travel after conviction of two or more offenses with aggregate sentence of at least five years.

A conviction for a DUI does not usually have the following immigration consequences because it is not considered one of the deportable or removable crimes; aggravated Felony, Deportable Controlled Substance Conviction, or a Crime of Moral Turpitude.

II. Future Penalties for DUI Convictions?

Non-citizens who have a DUI conviction should keep in contact with an immigration attorney in case a law passes that imposes new consequences. The new law might cause permanent residents to become deportable based on a DUI conviction, when they were not deportable before.

III. Reckless Driving Charge or Conviction

Reckless driving is classified under Cal. Veh. Code 23103, 23103.5, and 23104. In general, a conviction for reckless driving is better than a DUI conviction, because of all of the potential DUI consequences listed above.

Law Office of Wais Azami takes DUI & Immigration seriously. We primarily practice criminal law for immigrants. Call (714) 321-9999.

My posts/blogs are to be taken for academic purposes only and NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Nothing on my blogs should lead you to believe there is an attorney-client relationship, nor that I am giving legal advice. Please call my office at (714) 321-9999 for a free consultation to discuss your specific matter where I could then give proper legal advice.

Remember, you have a right to remain silent and to ask for an attorney whenever you are being interrogated by law enforcement. If the police or ICE come to your residence, you don’t have to give ANY information nor do you have to let them in without a search warrant. DO NOT speak to anyone nor let them in your house without a search warrant. If they have a search warrant, the warrant must correctly spell the name of the person being sought, the address being searched, and it must be signed by a magistrate or judge.

Removal: Deportability vs Inadmissibility

“Removal” now includes both deportability, under 8 USC section 1227 and inadmissibility under 8 USC section 1182. Inadmissibility means you are not allowed to be able to get your legal status within the US, whether you are here or abroad. Removal or Deportation means you are being forced to leave if you are already inside the US. Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants.

Arrest vs. Conviction

Arrest means you have been accused of doing something illegal. Usually the police arrests someone for a certain charge but they do not have the power to charge. Police’s report is merely a recommendation to the District Attorney (DA). Only the district attorney can charge someone for committing a crime. Sometimes you can be arrested and then the district attorney refuses to file charges. If that happens, you have no convictions. The DA could also choose to charge you for a crime but later drop the charges. They could even charge you with more crimes than for which you were arrested. The DA controls the charges in Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immigrants

Conviction means that you have been judged to have committed the illegal act by the trier of facts (judge or jury). This happens after you have had your “day in court.” This means the DA charged you, brought evidence against you or witnesses against you, and despite your defense, the judge or the jury found you guilty. At that point, you will have incurred a conviction or convictions, if there were more than one charge.

For immigration purposes, there is a huge difference between arrest and conviction. Arrests can be explained a lot easier than convictions. It’s very important to seek an attorney immediately after an arrest. Do not let your bad situation get worse. It’s almost impossible to turnover convictions. As an immigrant, it’s highly advisable to not represent yourself–the consequences of a convictions are too heavy.

Good Moral Character

In order to become a US legal permanent resident or to become a naturalized US citizen, you will need to show you are and will be a trusted individual who has a good moral character. A non-citizen’s criminal record can result in statutory ineligibility to establish good moral character. One cannot establish good moral character if they have been inadmissible due to crimes relating to moral turpitude, controlled substances, prostitution, a 5-year sentence for two or more convictions, domestic violence, or smuggling of aliens.

Crimes of Moral Turpitude

A crime involving moral turpitude has sometimes been defined as a depraved or immoral act, or a violation of the basic duties owed to fellow man, or recently as a reprehensible act with a mens rea of at least recklessness. Traditionally a CIMT involves intent to commit fraud, commit theft with intent to permanently deprive the owner, or inflict great bodily harm, as well as some reckless or malicious offenses and some offenses with lewd intent.

However, for immigration purposes, the following crimes have been deemed to be CIMT:

• murder
• voluntary manslaughter
• involuntary manslaughter, in some cases
• rape
• spousal abuse
• child abuse
• incest
• kidnaping
• Robbery
• aggravated assault
• mayhem
• animal fighting
• theft
• fraud, and
• conspiracy, attempt, or acting as an accessory to a crime if that crime involved moral turpitude.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes include but are not limited to:

• Sex Crimes include but are not limited to
  • Child molestation
  • Rape
  • Sex trafficking
  • Spousal rape
  • Prostitution

Domestic Violence

The term domestic violence (spousal battery) includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.

Other Deportable Offenses or Causes

While this list is not exhaustive (complete), it provides a good idea of what else could cause major immigration problems:

• Sale or Possession of Controlled Substances
• Firearms Offenses
• Drug addiction or alcoholism
• Sentences of over one years
• Gambling
• Aggravated Felonies

My posts/blogs are to be taken for academic purposes only and NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Nothing on my blogs should lead you to believe there is an attorney-client relationship, nor that I am giving legal advice.

Please call my office at (714) 321-9999 for a free consultation to discuss your specific matter where I could then give proper legal advice.

Can working with, selling or using marijuana affect my immigration status?

Immigrants and marijuana does not mix if you are not a US citizen. That’s why I routinely practice “immigrant criminal law.” Immigrants must be extra careful not to use marijuana in even states where it’s legal to use it. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance that could prevent those with permanent legal status (green card holders) from becoming U.S. citizens if they are suspected of using marijuana. That’s mere suspicion, not even arrest or conviction!

What if marijuana is legal in my state?

Many states have legalized medical marijuana, and several states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana for adults. But do not assume that using marijuana will not hurt your immigration status. This USCIS guidance establishes that a violation of federal controlled substance law, including for marijuana, established by a conviction or admission, is generally a bar to establishing (good moral character) for naturalization even where the conduct would not be a violation of state law.

This isn’t necessarily a surprise, because marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and possession of it is still a federal offense. USCIS officers must take it into consideration when reviewing an application. In the past, visitors to the United States have lost their tourist visas after agency officials checked their phone and found photos of them in front of marijuana dispensaries.

What’s new is that this practice is now codified into USCIS guidance explicitly telling officers that even if there is no drug conviction, and even if the person has not admitted to the offense, they should consider denying the case based on good moral character.

What if I have a green card or am a permanent legal resident?

Even if you get your green cards, you should not work for dispensaries. You should not be in any business related to marijuana and of course, don’t use it. Those without their US citizenships employed working for the industry could be labeled an illicit trafficker and be made eligible for deportation/removal.

This restriction exists even if marijuana is legally prescribed by a medical professional or doctor. The legality or medical necessity doesn’t make it legal under immigration regulations and guidelines.

Is the Federal government legalizing marijuana?

There is a lot of talk about the reduction of federal classification of marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, but until then, it’s better to play it safe. You’ve sacrificed too much to ruin your immigration status. I would consult with a lawyer before use, purchase, sale or employment relating to marijuana and its industry.

**My posts/blogs are to be taken for academic purposes only and NOT LEGAL ADVICE. Nothing on my blogs should lead you to believe there is an attorney-client relationship, nor that I am giving legal advice.

For more information about working with, selling or using marijuana and its affect your immigration status, please call a criminal defense attorney at (714) 321-9999 for a free consultation to discuss your specific matter where I could then give proper legal advice.