For anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, a criminal charge carries a second layer of consequences that goes far beyond the criminal penalties. Under federal immigration law, even a misdemeanor conviction can trigger mandatory deportation, bars to reentry, or the permanent loss of legal status. These consequences can be activated automatically, without any additional proceedings, and they apply regardless of how long a person has lived in the United States or how strong their family and community ties are.

At Nonaj Law, we have deep experience in both criminal defense and immigration law. We understand how these two areas of law interact at the highest level of practical detail — which means that when we defend a criminal case involving a non-citizen client, we are always thinking about both outcomes simultaneously: the best possible resolution in criminal court, and the preservation of immigration status.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you have been charged with a crime, you need an attorney who understands both criminal law and immigration law. The Supreme Court’s decision in Padilla v. Kentucky (2010) established that defense counsel is constitutionally required to advise non-citizen clients of the immigration consequences of a guilty plea. But knowing the rule is not the same as being able to navigate it. The criminal defense attorney who does not understand the specific interplay of New York criminal law and federal immigration statutes can inadvertently advise you into a plea that costs you your status, your home, and your family.