Doraville Immigration Drug Conviction Lawyer

Facing drug charges as a non-citizen can lead to serious consequences. In addition to criminal penalties, immigration problems are also possible, such as deportation or losing your legal status. The overlap between criminal and immigration law is complicated, and missteps can make things worse quickly.

At The Solano Law Firm, a Doraville immigration drug conviction lawyer could work closely with you to develop personalized strategies that challenge charges, explore alternatives, and protect your immigration status. We focus on safeguarding your future in the United States. Call and speak to an experienced deportation defense attorney today.

Can I Be Deported for a Drug Conviction?

Immigration law gives authorities significant leeway to deport you from the US if you have been convicted of a crime. Any crime considered to be one of moral turpitude can lead to removal from the US. This category can include many different types of convictions, including those related to any type of drug charge.

There are very few exceptions to this rule, although there are some ways that you can pursue immigration relief. Drug convictions, from possession to selling, may trigger immigration removal proceedings that our Doraville legal team could help you fight in order to remain in the country. This can be a challenging process.

Why Are Drug Crimes Treated More Strictly Under Immigration Law?

Drug crimes are treated differently under US immigration law because Congress views them as particularly harmful to public safety and national interests. Immigration law categorizes most drug offenses as “aggravated offenses” or “crimes involving moral turpitude,” and each one makes non-citizens either deportable or inadmissible, even for relatively minor convictions.

Unlike other offenses, there is little discretion: many drug convictions trigger automatic consequences, such as removal or prohibited reentry. This strict treatment is meant to deter drug-related activity among non-citizens and reflects the federal government’s zero-tolerance approach. Despite this harsh policy, our lawyers in Doraville are ready to explore all options that may protect your immigration status after a drug charge. Other crimes, such as certain property or minor assault offenses, may allow for more relief or waiver options.

What Are Criminal Defense Strategies to Drug Charges When You Are an Immigrant?

If you are a non-citizen facing drug charges in Doraville, our legal team could craft a criminal defense strategy that addresses both the criminal case and the potential immigration consequences. Key strategies could include:

• Reducing the likelihood of conviction by suppressing illegally obtained evidence, questioning the chain of custody, or challenging the reliability of witnesses
• Avoiding guilty pleas that trigger deportation by negotiating alternative charges, diversion programs, or reduced sentences that carry fewer immigration risks
• Exploring defenses such as lack of knowledge, mistaken identity, or entrapment
• Ensuring you make all decisions with a full understanding of how a conviction can affect your status, deportation risk, or future admissibility

Our attorneys can help you navigate both the criminal and immigration systems to protect your rights and preserve your future in the United States.

Are There Post-Drug Conviction Avenues for Relief?

A drug conviction will almost always trigger immigration removal proceedings. The legal obligation to remove non-citizen defendants from the country for drug charges is virtually automatic, although our Doraville attorneys could help you pursue some limited but difficult ways to remain in the US.

Based on the conditions in your home country, you may try to apply for asylum, which can end removal proceedings. You might also seek a waiver or cancellation of removal, although these are not commonly granted. If your prior attorney did not tell you that pleading guilty could be grounds for removal, you can file a Padilla appeal in an attempt to vacate the prior conviction.

Contact a Doraville Immigration Attorney After a Drug Charge

If you are a non-citizen facing drug charges, the stakes go beyond fines or jail. Your immigration status may be at risk. At The Solano Law Firm, a Doraville immigration drug conviction lawyer who understands both criminal and immigration law could provide a strategic defense to protect your future in the US.

From challenging evidence to exploring plea alternatives or post-conviction relief, we fight to minimize consequences and safeguard your rights. Contact The Solano Law Firm today for a confidential case evaluation and experienced legal guidance.