The United States Supreme Court issued an important decision last week for foreign nationals living in the United States. In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Court ruled that attorneys representing foreign nationals in criminal proceedings must inform them of the immigration consequences of any plea agreements or convictions that may arise.
This is an important decision by the Court because, too often, foreign nationals are told by their attorneys to accept relatively minor plea agreements without knowing the major consequences that the minor plea agreement will have on a foreign national’s immigration status. For example, the New York Times recently wrote about a foreign national that is facing deportation after accepting a plea agreement for a marijuana charge with a $100 fine.
If you are a foreign national who faces a criminal charge, please be sure that you weigh the immigration consequences of any plea agreements you accept. Additionally, if you have previously accepted a plea agreement and now fear being deported from the United States, please contact a NYC immigration lawyer.