Everyone makes mistakes. As someone who is in the United States as an immigrant, you’re not immune to making mistakes yourself. Unfortunately, if you do get into trouble with the law, there is a risk that you could face harsh consequences that others wouldn’t need to worry about.
For example, there are times when a conviction could lead to deportation. That’s not always the case, though, and it’s important that you know when deportation could be a risk as well as when it’s not.
Understanding deportable offenses
Deportable offenses are usually severe crimes or those of moral turpitude. Crimes such as murder, trafficking weapons and some kinds of fraud may fall into those categories.
DWIs, on the other hand, are not usually deportable offenses. That doesn’t mean that you won’t face deportation proceedings for a DWI, but it’s less likely than with other crimes. If this is your first DWI, it’s unlikely that it will lead to deportation. However, if you need to renew your visa in the future, it could come into play and could make it harder to get that renewal.
It is more likely that a DWI will lead to deportation if you have been convicted more than once. It’s also more likely for a DWI to lead to deportation if it resulted in another person’s death or serious injury.
Since not all DWIs are likely to lead to deportation, you may not be sure if you should be concerned. You should always be prepared to defend yourself against allegations of a DWI or other criminal acts, even if there isn’t a risk of deportation. A DWI on your record can negatively affect you in the United States and may, when combined with other trouble with the law, eventually lead to deportation proceedings.
Get help if you could face deportation
If you have questions about a DWI charge, it’s a good idea to talk to someone familiar with immigration law. You need to take steps to protect yourself so that you can minimize the risk of having to leave the country and also focus on reducing any penalties you may face.