Being arrested for a criminal act is never a good thing: it requires having a competent criminal attorney who can defend you against the charges to clear your name.  But if you are not a citizen of the United States and you are arrested, the consequences are much more serious. Whether you are in the country legally or illegally, being charged with a crime can mean losing your status and any opportunity to become a citizen. It can also mean facing immediate deportation, even if you’ve only been charged with a misdemeanor. If you or someone you love has found themselves in this predicament, it is essential that you contact a qualified, experienced Philadelphia immigration lawyer to put up an aggressive defense on your behalf. Reinherz Law has been successfully helping people with all types of immigration needs for many years, and we can help you too.

When a person who is not a citizen of the United States and who is in the country illegally is arrested, they are generally not processed in the same way as American citizens are. Instead, once they have been placed in custody (whether local, state or federal) the Department of Homeland Security is generally notified through the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)department, and they are placed on what is known as an immigration hold. An immigration hold is a type of detainer that keeps the arrested person from being released – instead they are put into federal custody.

When an immigration hold is put into place for a person who has been charged with a crime and who has entered the U.S. illegally (or stayed beyond the period of time that they were authorized for), they will begin removal proceedings. Even if you are here legally, committing a crime may make you deportable, in which case you will also be required to have a removal hearing. A removal proceeding is a hearing in immigration court, and having a Philadelphia immigration lawyer there to represent you is the best way to ensure that your rights are being protected. Without having an immigration lawyer there, the chances of being placed in federal custody are strong, but if you are properly represented you have a better chance of appearing before an immigration judge and defending yourself against the allegations, and remaining in the country.

If you are in the country illegally and have been arrested but have not been transferred into ICE custody, then you still need an attorney – the disposition of your case will depend in large part on the type of crime you’ve been accused of. In most cases you will be offered the ability to post bond while waiting for your immigration hearing, though some crimes do not allow this and you will be required to remain in custody.

Having an immigration attorney who understands the intricacies of the law can make all of the difference in the outcome of your case. Call the Philadelphia immigration lawyers at Reinherz Law for competent, highly qualified help.

Learn more about how our Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer can help you HERE.