Blog

(901) 318-3847

The Consequences of DUI Conviction on Your Immigration Status

Posted by James Ferguson | Feb 01, 2021 | 0 Comments

A criminal conviction is likely detrimental to your U.S. immigration status. With respect to a DUI, there are three main consequences of conviction for non-citizens — deportation, denial of admissibility into the United States, and denial of citizenship. These consequences arise depending on the immigration benefit for which the defendant is applying. In addition, the number of DUI convictions matters in the legal analysis that will determine whether or not an individual is inadmissible (not eligible to enter the U.S.)

Crime of Moral Turpitude
In certain removal cases, an immigration court must determine whether a DUI committed by a non-citizen amounts to a crime of moral turpitude. A crime of moral turpitude is a deportable offense for the purposes of immigration law. Such a crime is corrupt, depraved, or degenerate. It refers to conduct that generally “shocks the public conscience.” This includes offenses such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault. This is because the crime involves some kind of mental component whereby the actor must premeditate his or her actions. On the other hand, DUI does not necessarily include mental aforethought given the inebriated state of the actor's mind. DUI can amount to a crime of moral turpitude when child endangerment is involved or where an actor knowingly drives on a suspended license.

Naturalization
Immigrants who plead guilty to DUI charges should also consider the effect on their naturalization applications. As part of the naturalization application, an immigrant will have to disclose all criminal charges and traffic violations that are of a serious nature. A pattern of DUI offenses can cause an immigration officer to conclude a pattern of alcoholism or a lack of good moral character, which is a concept that is tested in all naturalization cases. Therefore, even though the immigrant is not deportable, the naturalization application can be denied on a discretionary basis as a result of the DUI offenses. This can leave the immigrant in legal limbo whereby they become ineligible to naturalize.

Your DUI Attorney
Attorney James Robert Ferguson is an experienced DUI attorney with years of experience defending DUI cases. Driving Under the Influence is a serious crime. If you have been charged with DUI, you need an experienced attorney. Attorney Ferguson is well-versed in DUI defense strategies and is ready to take on your unique case, even if you are a foreign national. Attorney Ferguson understands the importance of putting the charge behind you and ensuring that you are informed of all possible consequences. Call us now for a consultation.

See related blog posts:
A DUI Conviction can Affect Your Immigration Status
Does Your Employer Care About Your DUI Conviction?

About the Author

James Ferguson

I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. During college, I studied at East Tennessee State University, where I received a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, which I then followed up with a Master's in Criminology from the University of Memphis. Before beginning my legal career, I worked as a Project Coordinator at the University of Memphis, where I assisted in training law enforcement officers in the Memphis Model of Crisis Intervention Training. The purpose of the project was to provide officers with the tools to deal with citizens in a state of mental crisis. I then went on to study law at the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. During law school, I clerked with Victor W. Carmody, Jr., the lawyer who wrote the book on DUI law in Mississippi. I am currently licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Mississippi, and spend a majority of my time traveling the highways and biways of Mississippi defending those who have been charged with a DUI.

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Free Consultations

Please contact me anytime to discuss your case. I understand that you will have many questions about your DUI, and I will guide you through answers to the questions that you have and those that you haven't thought of. My goal is to make you comfortable with the defense process. Every case is prepared for trial, but a trial is not always necessary. Consultations are always free and confidential.

Someone on your side

Being charged with a crime is intimidating. Beyond the fear of jail, court costs, and fines, there are questions as to the impact on your job and your right to drive. Rest assured that I will be there every step of the way to guide you through the process, and to help you minimize the impact of a DUI on your life. Call me today.

Office Location

Menu