If you are a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) who is trying to become a United States citizen, or who is planning on staying in the U.S. for a while, you’re probably well-aware of the fact that you must be on your best behavior during your stay.
When you applied for your Green Card, you were likely informed that under U.S. immigration laws, permanent residents can be deported when they commit certain crimes, such as domestic violence, identity theft, drug possession, or other serious crimes.
Since there are a lot of immigrants in Oakland and throughout the East Bay, we’re going to discuss the crime of driving under the influence (DUI) and whether it is considered a “deportable offense.” We decided to dedicate a post to this because DUI is commonly committed by non-criminals, including immigrants.
DUI & Deportation: What You Need to Know
Normally, DUI is not a deportable offense, and neither are other minor offenses, such as disorderly conduct. However, that does not mean you can’t get deported for DUI; it is possible. Under the following circumstances, a DUI conviction can lead to removal proceedings:
- You are convicted of a felony DUI.
- You have multiple DUI offenses.
- You injured or killed someone else while driving impaired.
- You were convicted of a drug-related DUI.
- You have too many criminal convictions.
If you were recently arrested for DUI and you’re afraid it will trigger removal proceedings, just take a look at the above list. If it’s your first offense and no one was injured or killed and you don’t have a criminal record, you should be okay.
However, you don’t want to forgo a strong legal defense, nor do you want to face your criminal charges alone. To protect your freedom, your Green Card status, and your path to U.S. citizenship, you should contact our firm to schedule a free consultation with an Oakland DUI attorney who’ll fight your DUI charges and pursue the most favorable outcome possible.