Criminal Immigration Attorney in Portland

Comprehensive Legal Support for Immigrants with Criminal Records in Medford & Portland

Sarpa Law has 18+ years of experience practicing criminal law in Oregon’s courtrooms—this includes time as a prosecutor working directly with ICE agents and police officers. For more than a decade, the law firm has defended immigrants in both criminal court and in immigration applications. We focus on this distinct area of law, which is referred to as “crimmigration” or “crimigration.”

Continue reading to learn more, or contact us today at (503) 755-5587 to speak to a member of our legal team.

What Is Criminal Immigration or "Crimmigration"?

Criminal immigration, also known as “crimmigration”, refers to the intersection of criminal law and immigration law. It involves cases where individuals who are involved in criminal activities or have criminal records face immigration consequences, such as deportation, denial of immigration benefits, or inadmissibility to the United States. Crimmigration issues can arise when non-U.S. citizens are convicted of certain crimes, leading to potential immigration consequences.

Impact of Criminal Charges & Convictions on Immigration Status

Criminal charges or convictions can have serious implications on a person’s immigration status. Depending on the nature and severity of the crime, individuals may become subject to deportation or removal proceedings, be denied entry or reentry into the United States, or face difficulties in obtaining immigration benefits such as visas or permanent residency. It is crucial to understand the potential immigration consequences of criminal charges or convictions and seek legal advice from an immigration attorney in Portland near you who has a thorough knowledge of crimmigration matters.

Available Legal Options for Criminal Immigration Challenges

Individuals facing criminal immigration issues in Portland should consult with an experienced immigration attorney at Sarpa Law who can evaluate their specific situation and provide guidance on available legal options. Depending on the circumstances, potential options may include:

• Defense strategies: Working with an attorney to explore defense strategies that may mitigate the immigration consequences of criminal charges or convictions.
• Waivers: Applying for waivers of inadmissibility based on certain criteria, which may allow individuals to overcome immigration barriers resulting from criminal issues.
• Post-conviction relief: Pursuing post-conviction relief, such as vacating or modifying criminal convictions, to potentially minimize the negative immigration consequences.

Navigating the complex intersection of criminal and immigration law requires the guidance of a Portland crimmigration lawyer who understands the specific laws and procedures. At Sarpa Law, we can provide personalized advice, develop a comprehensive strategy, and advocate for the best possible outcome if you are facing crimmigration issues. Get in touch with us today by dialing (503) 755-5587.

Who We Help

• People charged with a crime who are not U.S. citizens and need to understand the immigration risk of a plea
• Green card holders with a past conviction who plan to travel, renew a card, or apply for citizenship
• Applicants seeking a green card through family-based immigration with an arrest or conviction in their history
• People in removal proceedings or under ICE or CBP investigation
• Crime victims who may qualify for a U-Visa or VAWA relief despite a prior record

Our Proven Success in Criminal Immigration Cases

We have a nearly perfect record of obtaining approvals for immigrants who need to file an application but have a criminal record.

These applications include the following:

• Citizenship
• Green card/adjustment of status
• DACA
• Criminal waiver
• Removal of conditions
• U-Visa
• K-1 fiancé
• Military parole-in-place
• The Adam Walsh Act

Effective Strategies to Prevent Deportation

We have also prevented immigrants from being deported after they have been investigated by ICE or CBP. Other attorneys regularly refer their own clients to our law firm in the best interest of that client. We understand the inner workings of the criminal system in every aspect and have represented immigrants with court or arrest records from nearly every state in the U.S.

Comprehensive Support for Your Criminal Immigration Case

We can locate the most obscure or hard-to-find criminal-related documents that are favorable to our client, including from sources that are not typically known. We know how to explain criminal procedure and what to look for in documents. We are able to strongly advocate for a positive result for our clients and explain the underlying reasons why their prior bad acts occurred, something that is often done in criminal court. We do not leave anything to chance and want our clients to know we’ve put together the strongest case possible. We also argue against the worst outcomes based on the law and facts of their prior criminal cases.

Dedicated Legal Defense for Criminal Immigration Matters

At Sarpa Law, we understand the complexities of criminal immigration cases and the impact they can have on individuals and families. Our team of skilled attorneys has extensive experience in providing legal defense for immigrants facing criminal charges that may affect their immigration status.

When you choose Sarpa Law for your criminal immigration case, you can expect:

• Thorough legal representation tailored to your unique situation
• Dedicated advocacy to protect your rights and interests
• Strategic defense strategies to achieve the best possible outcome
• Compassionate support and guidance throughout the legal process

Don't face criminal immigration issues alone. Trust Sarpa Law to provide the dedicated representation you need to navigate the complexities of the legal system and protect your immigration status.

Our Commitment to Honesty & Integrity

Due to the volume and variety of immigration cases we handle that involve a criminal history, we are well positioned to understand risk. If a case is unlikely to be successful or is too risky, we will tell a potential client upfront. We have obtained approvals in many situations where others have been denied. We are able to assess how our actions with a client’s immigration case impact them now, and many years into the future. If we accept somebody as our client, it means we believe in them and know that they deserve to have their past mistakes forgiven. Most importantly, we enjoy these cases more than the typical case, and the end results are reflective.

Criminal Immigration FAQs

Can a criminal record stop me from getting a green card?

Yes. Certain convictions make a person inadmissible, but many applicants with a record still qualify through a waiver or because the offense does not fall into a barred category. The result depends on the statute, the sentence, and the strength of the application.

Does an expunged or set-aside conviction still count for immigration?

Often, yes. Federal immigration law has its own definition of conviction, so an Oregon set-aside does not always remove the immigration consequence. Relief that fixes a legal defect in the original case can work differently.

Can I be deported for a DUII?

A single DUII is usually not a deportable offense on its own. Repeat offenses, injury, driving while suspended, or a related drug or weapons charge can change the answer.

Should I talk to an immigration attorney before I take a plea?

Yes. A plea can create a deportation ground that is difficult or impossible to undo later. Contact us before you plead so we can work with your criminal defense attorney on a plea that protects your immigration status.

Can I apply for citizenship with a criminal record?

Some people can. An aggravated felony conviction permanently bars citizenship, and other convictions affect the good moral character requirement during the statutory period. We review your record before you file, because a denied application can put you in front of an immigration officer with your history on the table.

What if I was arrested but never convicted?

An arrest alone is not a conviction, but dismissed charges can still come up on applications and at interviews, and some conduct counts for immigration purposes without a conviction. We review the records and prepare you before you file.

Call our Portland office at (503) 755-5587, our Medford office at (541) 262-6677, or send us a message to discuss your case.