What Happens If An Immigrant Gets Caught With an Illegal Firearm?

If you are a refugee in the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, or an employee or student with a visa, you may be deported if you are convicted of the illegal possession of a firearm. Here’s what you need to know about the potential consequences of this charge and how to get experienced legal help.

Deportation

Generally, any criminal conviction that involves a firearm will result in an immigrant becoming deportable. If you are subject to deportation after being convicted of a firearms charge, you will be put into removal proceedings.

At this point, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will need to show evidence that your conviction was for a deportable offense, or that you committed a crime of moral turpitude in order for you to be removed.

Aggravated Felony Charges

If you were charged with another crime while in possession of an illegal firearm, you may be charged with an aggravated felony. For example, if you robbed a gas station but did so with a firearm, this may be considered aggravated or armed robbery. If you are not deported, you will likely face more stringent penalties than if you had committed the same crime without a firearm.

Barred From Relief

If you were seeking asylum in America as a refugee or were an illegal immigrant at the time you were caught in possession of a firearm, you may be barred from seeking immigration relief. You may not be eligible to receive asylum or to apply for residency, even if you are not deported. This may be the case even if you were acquitted or found not guilty of other crimes you may have been charged with.

When to Contact a Criminal Immigration Attorney in Maryland

At Iron Chris Immigration & Criminal Defense, we have extensive experience representing immigrants facing criminal charges, including those for aggravated felonies and illegal firearms. It’s crucial that you act as soon as possible to begin forming a strong defense strategy that has the best chance at being exonerated.

Attorney Llinas is committed to providing each of his clients with comprehensive, aggressive legal advocacy when they need it most. He offers zealous, seasoned support to immigrants whose families will suffer if they are convicted of a crime and/or deported.

Call now to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation at 860-530-1781. We can help you overcome frightening legal matters that may be difficult or complex to understand.

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Christopher Llinas

J. Christopher Llinas is a Connecticut criminal defense and immigration attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. He is the founder of Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration, based in Middletown, CT. Chris earned his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law) in 1997 and holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in English from Salisbury University. During law school he served as a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law, and competed in moot court and trial advocacy programs. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, defending clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic matters. He later served as an Assistant State's Attorney, prosecuting criminal and traffic cases — giving him a firsthand understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. He has also served as a law clerk, legal aid attorney, and in-house corporate counsel before dedicating his practice to criminal defense and immigration. Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Maryland, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His practice covers DUI and OUI defense, drug charges, weapons charges, violent crimes, juvenile matters, probation violations, federal criminal defense, and immigration removal proceedings throughout Connecticut.