If you’re seeking admission into the United States or are a recent immigrant, then your criminal background is going to be scrutinized. And if federal officials find that you’ve committed a “crime of moral turpitude,” then you’ll likely either be denied admission or will be subjected to removal proceedings. It’s thus critically important to understand this complicated area of the law so that you can protect yourself throughout the immigration process.
Key facts to know about “crimes of moral turpitude”
Addressing crimes of moral turpitude is nuanced. To start, there’s no federal definition of the phrase, making it difficult to determine when it applies. That said, there’s ample case law out there that shapes how crimes of moral turpitude are assessed. For example, crimes that generally shock the public conscious or are determined to be vile, depraved or contrary to generally accepted morals generally fall into this category. This typically includes crimes like murder, rape, robbery and assault. If the offense in question is deemed petty and will result or has resulted in a sentence of less than a year, then you may be able to argue that it shouldn’t be used against you.
It’s also important to note that immigration officials can take negative immigration action against you even if you haven’t been convicted of a crime. Merely admitting to acts that may constitute a crime of moral turpitude could be enough to negatively impact your immigration status.
Carefully navigate your immigration-related challenges
There are several issues that you can face as you navigate the immigration process. It can be complicated and confusing, to be sure, but you can’t let that fact dissuade you from learning about the issues in play so that you can make the decisions that are right for you. If that has you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, don’t worry. You can seek out guidance to ensure that you’re doing everything possible to protect your interests.
