Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

In January of 2007 i was arrested and convicted of possession of a controlled substance - with the advice of a lawyer i plead guilty to the charges and was ordered by the court to pay fines and to attend a drug counselling program. I successfully completed all orders of the court and the charges were dismissed.

I am a permanent resident alien with green card... I recently lost my green card and am also wantin to take a trip back to England to vist my family. However i know i must apply for a replacement green card a) because i am legally required to and b) because I will need a stamp in my passport which will enable me to get back into US upon my return.

Should I be concerned about any legal issues that may or may not arise from doing this


Asked on 1/07/10, 2:05 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Luba Smal Smal Immigration Law Office

Yes, you definitely have reasons to be concerned. A controlled substance conviction and your pleading guilty could be a reason for losing your lawful permanent status, as it's a deportable offense. You need to discuss the specifics of the conviction and offense with a qualified immigration attorney.

Note: The above response is provided for legal information purposes only and should not be considered a legal advice; it doesn�t create an attorney-client relationship. If you would like to request a follow-up confidential advice on your specific situation and regarding U.S.A. immigration-related issues, we can offer a paid consultation by telephone or email to clients from all States and globally. Please visit our website http://www.law-visa-usa.com/contact_us.html for more details.

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Answered on 1/12/10, 7:14 am

Yes, you should be concerned, as depending upon the conviction, it may be a deportable offense and reason to lose your permanent residency. You should consult an experienced immigration attorney who is knowledgeable with immigration consequences of criminal convictions before you do anything. You should not apply for a replacement green card or attempt to travel outside the U.S. without at least having a consultation with an immigration attorney.

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Answered on 1/12/10, 8:13 am
Charles Medina Law Office of Charles Medina

Your conviction is a crime involving moral turpitude, which is a ground for inadmissibility and deportation.

We suggest you to consult with an immigration attorney.

You may visit our website at www.medinalawgroup.net. Our telephone number is 714-786-6835 and email is [email protected]. Thank you.

The above reply is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Web site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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Answered on 1/13/10, 12:56 pm


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