Can My Green Card Be Taken Away?

A common question that many clients have about immigration—in particular, permanent residency and green cards, is whether or not this can be taken away at any point in time. What is important to understand is that any time someone commits a crime, immigrant or not, will face severe penalties. What makes the matter so challenging for immigrants is that a criminal conviction on record severely hampers them from being successfully immigrating.

If you already have a green card, however, being convicted of a crime risks not only losing your green card but it is possible that you could be deported. We will discuss the types of crimes that are considered a “deportable offense.”

Understanding Deportable Offenses

Even those with a green card can face deportation if they have committed a crime that violates the immigration laws we have in the U.S. There are a wide range of criminal offenses, obviously, from minor citations and all the way up to more serious crimes, often considered “aggravated felonies” or crimes that would be considered devoid of morality, or “crimes of moral turpitude.”

Some examples of these crimes might include the following:

• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Child abuse
• Aggravated assault
• Theft or robbery
• Drug crimes
• Fraud
• Money laundering
• Conspiracy
• Terrorism
• Murder or manslaughter

This is only a small number of the types of crimes that may be considered crimes of moral turpitude (CMT). Because CMT laws are constantly changing and being updated, it will be to your advantage to have a knowledgeable York immigration lawyer to help you navigate through the laws.

Contact Our Immigration Firm Today

Attorney Rosina C. Stambaugh has been recognized for her work as an immigration lawyer. She holds memberships in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the PBA Immigration Law Committee, among many others. Should you have any questions about permanent residency, green cards, and other immigration matters, please do not hesitate to contact our qualified attorney.

Schedule an initial consultation by calling 717-900-1818. Attorney Rosina offers services in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Rosina Stambaugh

Rosina C. Stambaugh, founder of The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh in York, brings a wealth of expertise to immigration law. With a focus on removal defense, Ms. Stambaugh has successfully litigated cases across various Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, offering comprehensive support to clients facing diverse immigration challenges. She also represents individuals and families applying for affirmative benefits with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.