Legal permanent residents or “Green card” holders with a criminal conviction face increased risks after traveling abroad. Sometimes these risks include additional screening, detention or being placed in removal proceedings for deportation.
Green Card Holders with Convictions at Increased Risk After Foreign Travel
As a green card holder with a conviction, you are at increased risk if you fall into any of these categories listed below:
You Did Not Disclose Your Conviction in Your Green Card Application
Sometimes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not aware of your conviction because you did not disclose it when you applied for your green card.
This may cause a problem if the DHS finds out later and considers this to be misrepresentation, or if your conviction makes you inadmissible.
Your Conviction is After You Received Your Green Card
Depending on the type of conviction, a post-green card conviction may cause the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to stop and question you at the airport or border. They may send you to secondary inspection to examine your conviction more closely to determine if you should face any immigration consequences.
You Have Drug-Related Arrests
Your drug-related arrests may put you at risk at the airport or border even if you do not have a drug conviction.
This is because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may use the “reason to believe’ ground to question your admission or green card.
You Have an Aggravated Felony or Drug Conviction
Your aggravated felony or drug conviction may cause you problems upon re-entry to the US. People who travel despite such convictions often face complications with their immigration status.
You Have Multiple Convictions
Green card holders with multiple convictions may be at greater risk of immigration enforcement even when they have ‘simple’ misdemeanor theft or fraud convictions.
Speak To an Immigration Lawyer
Speak to an immigration lawyer immediately if you have criminal convictions and wish to travel abroad, Your lawyer can advise you on whether you may travel safely, possible ways to reduce your risk and whether you should avoid traveling altogether.
Thank you for reading this article. If you have any questions, our immigration law office is willing to help you reach your best immigration solution.
Note: This article is for general information purposes only and is not, nor is it intended to be legal advice. For legal advice about your own situation, please contact your immigration lawyer.
For assistance with your immigration matter or to schedule an appointment with our immigration lawyer, Attorney Doreen Emenike, please click the ‘Book Appointment’ button.
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