quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
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Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Quick Reference Chart <strong>and</strong> Notes<br />
February 2010<br />
§ N.1 Using the Chart to Establish Defense Goals<br />
Based on Immigration Status;<br />
What are Deportability, Inadmissibility, <strong>and</strong> an Aggravated Felony;<br />
The Immigration “Strike”; <strong>and</strong> the Ten-Step Checklist<br />
(For more in<strong>for</strong>mation, see Defending Immigrants in the Ninth Circuit, Chapter 1,<br />
www.ilrc.org/criminal.php)<br />
By Katherine Brady, Ann Benson <strong>and</strong> Jonathan Moore 9<br />
A. Introduction: Gathering Facts <strong>and</strong> Resources<br />
B. What is the Meaning of “Inadmissible,” “Deportable” <strong>and</strong> “Aggravated Felony”?<br />
C. How to Determine Your Client’s Immigration Status <strong>and</strong> Create Defense Priorities<br />
1. The U.S. Citizen or U.S. National Defendant (<strong>and</strong> what convictions can hurt them <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>immigration</strong> purposes)<br />
2. The Undocumented Defendant<br />
3. The Lawful Permanent Resident Defendant<br />
4. The Asylee <strong>and</strong> Refugee Defendant<br />
5. The Defendant with or Applying <strong>for</strong> Temporary Protected Status (TPS)<br />
6. The Defendant with a Nonimmigrant Visa<br />
7. The Defendant with Employment Authorization<br />
8. The Mystery Status Defendant<br />
9. The Absolutely Removable Defendant<br />
D. Caution: The Immigration “Strike” – How to Avoid a Plea that will result in a Severely<br />
Enhanced Sentence <strong>for</strong> a Noncitizen who May Re-enter the U.S. Illegally After Being<br />
Removed/Deported<br />
E. Checklist of Ten Steps in Representing a Non-citizen, from Interview through Appeal<br />
A. Introduction; Gathering Facts, Using Resources<br />
The Quick Reference Chart details which Cali<strong>for</strong>nia offenses may make a noncitizen<br />
inadmissible, deportable or an aggravated felon. These three categories cover most of the ways<br />
that a conviction can hurt <strong>immigration</strong> status. (They don’t cover all, however. For example, a<br />
TPS applicant must not be inadmissible <strong>and</strong> also cannot be convicted of three misdemeanors or<br />
one felony. See Part C.5 below.)<br />
This section discusses how criminal defense counsel can use the analysis you get from the<br />
Chart, combined with in<strong>for</strong>mation about the client’s particular <strong>immigration</strong> status <strong>and</strong> history to<br />
9 This Note has been re-organized <strong>and</strong> rewritten to provide more specific advice to defenders. Parts of the Note<br />
borrow liberally from the public defender manual Immigration <strong>and</strong> Washington State Criminal Law, found at<br />
www.defensenet.org. We are grateful to Ann Benson, Jonathan Moore <strong>and</strong> the Washington Defender Association<br />
Immigration Project <strong>for</strong> their kind permission to use the materials.<br />
Immigrant Legal Resource Center N-9