Crimmigration · New York · New Jersey · Florida
Crimmigration: when a criminal case puts your immigration status at risk
An arrest, a plea deal or an old conviction can lead to ICE detention, deportation, or a denied green card or citizenship application. Arandia Law Firm helps immigrants and their families understand the immigration risk early — and defend against it.
English · Español · Português — consultations by phone, WhatsApp video, Zoom or in person.
What is crimmigration?
Crimmigration is the point where criminal law and immigration law meet. For anyone who is not a U.S. citizen — including green card holders — the same case is judged twice: once in criminal court, and again under federal immigration law, which has its own definition of "conviction," its own list of deportable offenses and its own detention rules.
That is why a result that looks good in criminal court can still be a serious problem in immigration court.
One case, judged twice
In criminal court
In immigration court
In criminal courtA plea closes the case quickly.
In immigration courtThe same plea can make you deportable.
In criminal courtA record is sealed or expunged.
In immigration courtIt usually still counts as a conviction.
In criminal courtA suspended sentence, no jail time.
In immigration courtThe sentence ordered can still count.
We look at both courts before you decide.
Situations where crimmigration matters
- 01
You or a family member was just arrested.
An arrest can lead to an ICE detainer or, for some people, mandatory immigration detention. The first days matter.
- 02
You were offered a plea deal.
A plea that closes the criminal case quickly can create a deportable offense. Have it reviewed before you accept.
- 03
You have an old conviction and want a green card or citizenship.
USCIS reviews your whole record. Some old cases block eligibility, some need a waiver, and some are not a problem. Know which before you file.
- 04
You have a green card and want to travel.
A permanent resident with certain offenses can be treated as seeking admission when returning to the U.S. Get advice before you buy a ticket.
- 05
A family member is detained by ICE.
Detention cases move fast. We look at release options and defenses in immigration court.
- 06
You are a criminal defense attorney with a noncitizen client.
We provide immigration-consequence consultations to support your advice under Padilla v. Kentucky.
Before you plead guilty, talk to an immigration attorney.
Once a plea is entered, undoing it is difficult and sometimes impossible. A review now can change what you agree to.
How we approach a crimmigration case
- 01
Review your status and record
We start with your immigration history, your criminal court papers and any earlier cases.
- 02
Map the immigration consequences
We look at how each possible outcome — dismissal, plea, conviction, sentence — would affect your status, your eligibility for relief and your risk of detention.
- 03
Coordinate the defense
In New York, our attorneys can handle the criminal case and the immigration case together. In New Jersey and Florida, we handle the immigration side and work alongside your criminal defense attorney.
- 04
Defend you before immigration authorities
If ICE, the immigration court or USCIS acts on your case, we represent you there.
Three offices, three languages
New YorkKew Gardens, Queens
Immigration and criminal defense
80-02 Kew Gardens Rd, Suite 702, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(212) 586-0500DirectionsNew JerseyWest New York
Immigration
6035 Kennedy Blvd E, West New York, NJ 07093
(848) 388-0660DirectionsFloridaBoca Raton
Immigration
7284 West Palmetto Park Rd, Suite 101, Boca Raton, FL 33433
(212) 586-0500DirectionsOur team works in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Consultations by phone, WhatsApp video, Zoom or in person, Monday to Friday.
Immigration law is federal, so we can handle the immigration side of your case wherever you live in the U.S., by WhatsApp video call. Criminal defense is offered in New York only.