Can a Criminal Charge Get Me Deported from the U.S.?

October 20, 2025
|In Uncategorized
|By Rebecca Peters

Being charged with a crime can be terrifying — especially for non-citizens.
If you’re an immigrant a criminal charge deportation Virginia situation can put both your freedom and your future in the U.S. at risk. Even minor offenses can sometimes lead to deportation, visa cancellation, or loss of permanent resident status.

At Peters Law Firm, we help people protect their liberty and livelihood — including immigrants navigating the overlap between Virginia criminal defense for immigrants and federal immigration law.

1. When a Criminal Charge Can Lead to Deportation in Virginia

Under federal law, non-U.S. citizens can face criminal charge deportation Virginia consequences for certain offenses.
Examples include:

  • DUI and drug crimes, especially involving controlled substances.

  • Violent or domestic assault charges.

  • Crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs), such as theft or fraud.

  • Aggravated felonies, including repeat or serious offenses.

Even if your case results in a plea to a lesser offense, immigration officials can still view it as a conviction. That’s why you need both a Virginia criminal defense for immigrants attorney and an immigration lawyer working together.

2. How a Criminal Charge Affects Immigration Status

A conviction under Virginia criminal law can trigger deportation or block future benefits.
Consequences often include:

  • Loss of visa eligibility

  • Denial of citizenship

  • Inadmissibility after travel abroad

  • ICE detainer Virginia holds leading to removal hearings

If you face these risks, a lawyer familiar with both criminal defense and immigration can design a strategy that protects you on both fronts.

3. Understanding ICE Detainers and Virginia Jail Transfers

When someone is arrested in Henrico, Chesterfield, or Hanover, local jails may cooperate with ICE. An ICE detainer Virginia request asks the jail to hold you for immigration agents after your release.

This can happen even if:

  • Your charges are reduced or dismissed

  • You have legal immigration status

  • You were never convicted

A defense lawyer who understands ICE detainer Virginia procedures can help reduce this risk by coordinating communication early with prosecutors and ICE.

4. Criminal Charge Deportation Virginia: What a Defense Lawyer Can Do

A skilled defense attorney can:

  • Try to keep you out of court.

  • Negotiate plea deals to avoid deportable convictions.

  • Challenge traffic stops, searches, and confessions.

  • Work with immigration counsel to minimize long-term damage.

Our team regularly defends clients in Henrico County, Richmond, Chesterfield, and Hanover, helping them protect both their legal rights and immigration status.

5. Peters Law Firm: Defending Immigrants in Virginia

At Peters Law Firm, we understand that for immigrants, a criminal case is about more than a fine or court date — it’s about staying with your family and keeping your life in the United States.

We coordinate with immigration attorneys to ensure our clients receive representation that addresses criminal charge deportation Virginia risks from day one.

If you’re a non-citizen facing criminal charges, call our office today. We’ll help you protect your liberty and livelihood while defending your right to remain in this country.

Resumen en Español

¿Un cargo criminal puede causar deportación?
Sí. Algunos delitos —como DUI, drogas o violencia doméstica— pueden causar deportación incluso si tiene visa o residencia permanente. Un abogado penal con experiencia en inmigración puede ayudarle a proteger su libertad y su futuro en los Estados Unidos.

En Peters Law Firm, defendemos a inmigrantes en Henrico, Richmond, Chesterfield y Hanover frente a cargos criminales y deportación.