The reasons why people commit crimes and the reason behind this behavior have been studied extensively. It’s interesting to know whether people who commit crimes do so without giving a thought to its risks or to its consequences and compare their motivations to people who would never commit a crime no matter how dire their circumstances.
And while some people carefully plan their crimes in order to increase their gains and minimize the risk of being discovered, others act impulsively, driven by the adrenaline rush they get or fueled by fear, anger, greed, jealousy, pride, and many other emotional factors.
The idea of facing stiff punishment for a crime should be enough of a deterrent to anyone contemplating committing a crime. Still, if you add to the mix the possibility of deportation and being separated from the life they know and from their community and family, the conclusion should be that nobody would intentionally commit a crime. However, the reality is far from this scenario and many people face deportation and removal every year due to having committed criminal acts.
What types of crime can lead to deportation?
Any immigrant to the United States, even those that hold a permanent resident card, can face deportation for a wide variety of crimes. First and foremost, no crimes should be committed that violate any immigration laws. Besides those, these crimes may also lead to deportation:
Crimes of Moral Turpitude
This category encompasses all crimes that corrupt the basic social duties that everyone owes anybody else and society as a whole. Their intent is to harm another human being and they include, among others:
● Theft
● Burglary
● Kidnapping
● Arson
● Fraud
● Repeated felony DUI convictions
● Assault with a deadly weapon
Committing one of the crimes listed above for a single time will not necessarily warrant deportation. You must be convicted for the crime with a prison sentence of at least a year and this must happen within five years of you living in the United States. Consult with your lawyer to find out other conditions that may lead to deportation.
Aggravated Felonies
Added to the list of crimes listed above, certain felonies may result in removal from this country. These include:
● Tax evasion of over $10,000
● Child pornography or sexually abusing a minor
● Trafficking with firearms or drugs
● Rape
● Murder
Committing any of the above crimes will most certainly result in deportation, regardless of how long you have lived in the United States.
Other Crimes
Crimes such as domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, espionage, human trafficking terrorist activities, and child abuse or neglect have also been included in those that may now lead to deportation.