Can You Renew Your Green Card With Felony Charges
A U.S. permanent resident has been a LPR based on marriage for the past twelve years, and has a U.S. Citizen spouse and two children. Last year he was charged with two counts of grand theft, California PC 487(a). He is afraid that if he renews his Green Card he may trigger deportation proceedings. What should he do?
Re: Can You Renew Your Green Card With Felony Charges
He should make sure that he is working with a criminal defense lawyer on the grand theft charges, and should consult an immigration lawyer about the impact of the charges and any eventual conviction or plea bargain on his immigration status. He should assume the worst -- that two felony crimes involving moral turpitude will trigger removal proceedings -- and work with his lawyers to try to avoid that outcome.