Deportation

Jul 29, 2010

OUTCOME: The immigration judge granted my client 212(c) relief allowing him to keep his permanent resident status and stay in the United States with his family

Client was a long time permanent resident of the United States when he made one terrible mistake that could have ruined his chance to remain in the United States with his wife and children. He was put ... in removal proceedings because of a California conviction for possession of sale of a controlled substance. This was considered under immigration law to be an aggravated felony conviction and for which client was facing a permanent ban from the United States. To make matters worse, this conviction barred client from most immigration relief that could possibly save him from being removed from the United States. Fortunately for the client, his conviction was many years ago and he was eligible for a certain type of immigration relief for permanent residents who had resided in the United States for 7 consecutive years with no problems with the law. This relief called 212(c) relief was discretionary and required the immigration judge to essentially balance the client's equities against his adverse factors in deciding whether to grant it and allow him to remain in the United States.