If your request for a permanent residency card or for a visa is denied it would likely be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals so let’s take a look at what the board believes is conduct involving acts of moral turpitude or act evidencing a lack of good moral character. The Board states that “a crime of moral turpitude is inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to social standards of morality, and done with reckless, malicious, or evil intent.” Moral turpitude will likely found with those persons committing acts or crimes involving physical assaults, sexual assaults, kidnapping, fraud, theft, embezzlement and bribery.
Removed, Deported or Denied Admission due to Moral Turpitude
Visa applicants, green card applicants will likely be deems permanently inadmissible to the United States and Green card Holders would have their permanent residency status rescinded and stand to be deported if they are judged to have been involved in crimes involving acts of moral turpitude. If an individual is convicted a crime involving moral turpitude within five years of becoming a green card holder, or within ten years if an illegal alien living inside the United States pays a penalty fee, he or she will likely be deported and all green card privileges would be rescinded. Examples of such acts are too numerous to name all of them but here are a few:
- Convicted of committing a crime involving gun trafficking, or illegally possessing a firearm
- Fraudulently entering a marriage to obtain citizenship rights
- Violations of federal law involving spying, acts of treason, assisting others to illegally enter the United States
- Conviction of child abuse, spousal abuse, or illegal stalking
Getting Legal Help
If you or a member of your family has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude and want to obtain a visa to visit or work inside the United States or is already in the country and wants to avoid deportation or wants to obtain a green card it is imperative that you consult with an immigration attorney concerning the circumstances of the improper behaviors. If there is a way to defend against being deported or being denied a visa or a green card the attorney will be able to make that defense available to you in a manner that could serve to alleviate many impending USCIS[C1] questions and problems with your admission or continued residency inside the United States.
