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DUI and Immigration Consequences: Understanding the Impact

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Are you an immigrant living in Denver, CO, who was recently arrested on DUI charges? You need to have a solid understanding of the DUI and immigration consequences. You also must hire an experienced DUI attorney to provide legal representation.

Since late 2022, roughly 42,000 migrants from Central and South American countries have made their way to Denver. This has led to an uptick in the number of immigrants facing criminal charges, including DUI, in Colorado.

Discover more about the criminal and immigration law intersection below to see how many immigrants are impacted by DUI convictions.

How DUIs Affect Immigrants Just Starting the U.S. Immigration Process

If you’re an immigrant in Denver still at the beginning of the U.S. immigration process, a DUI can, unfortunately, have dire consequences on your ability to earn a visa or Green Card. The U.S. performs in-depth moral character assessments on immigrants, and a DUI is considered a “crime of moral turpitude.” It could prevent you from remaining in the U.S.

Inadmissibility and deportability are two important concepts when it comes to immigration law. They both come into play with regard to DUI and immigration consequences.

An immigrant who has a DUI on their criminal record might not be able to enter the U.S. in the first place. They might also not be allowed to remain in the U.S. following a DUI conviction if they’re already here. They might even run into unexpected issues with their immigration status and reentry into the U.S. if they ever leave and attempt to come back with a DUI on their record.

How DUIs Affect Immigrants With Visas

If you’re an immigrant in Denver with a visa, you will also need to be concerned about being arrested for DUI and the impact it can have on your immigration status. Just because you already have a visa does not mean a DUI arrest won’t affect you.

The U.S. Department of State can step in and revoke your visa following a DUI arrest, even if you haven’t been convicted yet. Visa revocation and denial is a likely reality for immigrants who haven’t secured permanent citizenship within the U.S.

How DUIs Affect Immigrants With Green Cards

Immigrants with Green Cards, also called Permanent Resident Cards, have earned the right to live and work in the U.S. permanently. However, they’re still technically non-citizens, so they may face permanent resident implications if they’re ever convicted of DUI. It can compromise their eligibility for naturalization and create complications if they ever travel abroad and try to come back into the U.S.

Immigrants in Denver convicted on DUI charges with aggravated felony classifications or worse, multiple DUI offenses, might have an especially difficult time remaining in the U.S. for the long term. The DUI and immigration consequences can still greatly impact them despite their Green Card status.

Is a DUI Arrest Threatening Your Current Immigration Status? Give Us a Call

The DUI and immigration consequences can turn your life upside down. Churchill DUI Defense can provide the necessary legal guidance following a DUI arrest in Denver, and we work together with attorneys specializing in immigration issues. Contact us at (303) 832-9000 for more information.