Minor Criminal Offenses Lead to Deportation for Many Non-U.S.

Citizens By Eduardo Paredes

Introduction

Attorney Eduardo Paredes sees clients at his offices in Los Angeles and Fresno, California. Specializing in both criminal and immigration law, Eduardo Paredes represents non-U.S. citizens facing deportation and answers immigration law questions from the public on a radio show that airs each weekday in Los Angeles.

In recent years, U.S. immigration officials have initiated criminal deportation tactics that have led to an increase in the number of immigrants expelled for minor offenses, including traffic violations. The new tactics are part of an Obama administration immigration policy that has focused heavily on the deportation of convicted criminals.

Deportations

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports, the agency deported more than 133,000 individuals for criminal convictions in 2013. Nearly 31,000 of those removed were convicted of minor misdemeanors, although reports do not reveal specific crimes. Those who are deported for a criminal conviction of any type are prohibited from reentering the United States for at least five years and are subject to a lengthy prison sentence if caught returning illegally.

Conclusion

Given the strict immigration consequences of a conviction, Attorney Eduardo Paredes endeavors to provide the best criminal defense representation possible. In order to do so, Attorney Eduardo Paredes interviews the accused, any witnesses who may have information relating to the offense, and carefully scrutinizing the law enforcement investigative reports to assure that all necessary steps to preserve an accused rights.