Deportation Defense in Volusia County

Are You Facing Deportation in Florida? Get Help Now!

The threat of being forced to leave the United States shakes the foundation of your life — your job, home, family life, and all of the steps you have taken to become a lawful resident are all in jeopardy. If you have been thrown into deportation proceedings, DeLand deportation defense lawyer Douglas Williams can help.

At Williams Legal, we have an in-depth understanding of the United States immigration system which makes us the perfect advocates for you and your loved ones during this challenging time. Allow us to come alongside you and help you achieve the best possible outcome in your situation.

Effective Deportation Defense Strategies

You have been notified of your potential deportation via a Notice to Appear (also referred to as an Order to Show Cause), which details your alleged violations of immigration law. The lawyers at Williams Legal can instruct and defend you at each hearing. One of the most common deportation proceedings is Removal of Permanent Residents.

Our skilled attorney can move to cancel a permanent resident's removal if:

• You were a lawful resident for at least 10 years.
• You resided in the U.S. continuously for seven years after being lawfully admitted to the U.S. with a legitimate status.
• You were not convicted of a felony or any crime of moral turpitude.

Other tactics he uses to prevent deportation include:

• Cancellation of Removal for Non-Lawful Permanent Residents
• Adjustment of status (attaining a green card)
• Asylum
• Convention Against Torture (CAT)
• Violence Against Woman Act (VAWA)
• Voluntary departure

Understanding Criminal Deportation Risks

Deportation can be triggered by virtually any crime, even those that are not directly related to immigration. Of course, illegal aliens may be deported if they are found living and working in the United States without official permission. In addition, anyone seeking residency or citizenship may be deported for immigration-based offenses such as:

• Harboring an illegal alien
• Engaging in espionage
• Violating the terms of their current visa.

Crimes of Moral Turpitude and Deportation

Deportation could also become a reality for both legal and illegal immigrants charged with criminal act of virtually any kind, especially if it involves what the Immigration and National Act (I.N.A.) refers to as “crimes of moral turpitude” (CMTs).

Though CMTs are not clearly defined in any U.S. immigration statues, they generally refer to crimes that involve:

• Larceny
• Fraud
• Intent to harm other persons or property
• Most misdemeanor and felony offenses

If a U.S. immigration court finds you guilty of a CMT, it could block you from obtaining your desired visa and block you from obtaining permanent residency and citizenship.

Specific Crimes Leading to Deportation

In addition to CMTs, there are a few other specific crimes that can result in deportation and/or your inadmissibility in immigration proceedings. These may include:

• Participation or conspiracy to participate in commission of a crime involving controlled substances
• Participation or conspiracy to participate in trafficking of controlled substances or illicit drugs
• Participation or conspiracy to participate in prostitution or criminal gambling in the United States or in the past 10 years
• Participation or conspiracy to participate in aggravated felony offenses of any kind
• Participation or conspiracy to participate in money laundering

Your continued residence in the United States and your application for citizenship or a visa of any kind could also be denied if you have been convicted of two or more crimes which result in a combined total of at least 5 years in prison.

At Williams Legal, we serve people who find themselves at the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Our understanding of both the United States immigration system and the criminal justice system means we have the knowledge and experience to build a defense suited for the specifics of your situation.

Impact of Withhold of Adjudication on Immigration Status

In Florida, a withhold of adjudication allows some defendants to serve probation and avoid a formal conviction. If you are an immigrant, however, accepting such a bargain could prove disastrous to your immigration status.

A withhold of adjudication constitutes a felony conviction under federal law. Federal crimes are not expungable. Our lawyer is experienced in criminal law and immigration law and can help you understand how withhold of adjudication/probation will affect your immigration status.

Addressing USCIS Delays with Professional Help

If you have done everything in your ability to successfully acquire a green card or visa but have been dealing with unreasonable delays, you can take action to inquire with your local United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office and potentially file a formal complaint.

While you may feel that you have your hands tied and cannot compel the USCIS office to attend to your case, our attorney has fax numbers and a liaison system that can formally communicate your desire to reach a positive resolution. When time is running out, our attorney can help you stand up to Immigration laws and defend your rights.