Numerous types of crimes are grounds for deportation in Missouri and Illinois.

As a deportation defense attorney who specializes in litigating cases against the federal government on behalf of immigrants in Missouri and Illinois, attorney Hacking has encountered virtually every possible reason for deportation in St. Louis.

Many of those reasons involve aggravated felonies and certain types of misdemeanors.

Since he focuses his practice on educating the community, attorney Hacking wants to raise awareness about the different types of crimes that can lead to deportation.

An "aggravated felony" crime includes many different types of crimes and can include both felonies and misdemeanors. Another type of crime - one called a crime involving moral turpitude - involves acts of baseness, vileness or depravity that is considered contrary to community standards. These are the 2 significant types of crimes that can render someone deportable (removable).

Following is a list of some of the crimes that can be immediate grounds for deportation:

• Selling of a controlled substance with the intention of distribution;
• Rape or sexual assault;
• Sexual abuse of a minor;
• Drug trafficking;
• Fraud causing a loss of more than $10,000;
• Theft resulting in a jail sentence of more than 12 months;
• Most violent crimes;
• Certain child pornography crimes;
• Some perjury, bribery, or obstruction of justice crimes;
• Domestic violence;
• Falsely claiming that you are a U.S. citizen.

In order to try and minimize the chances of deportation, if you or a family member are charged with a crime before becoming a U.S. citizen, it is absolutely essential that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney BEFORE accepting any possible plea deal. While many criminal defense attorneys may say that they understand the immigration system, the fact is that numerous individuals have come to our office after paying substantial sums to a criminal defense attorney only to find out that the "deal" that they received was not so great as they are now in deportation proceedings.

For example, an experienced immigration attorney would know that the client might have a good chance of fighting the deportation if:

• The crime was committed more than five years after the accused was legally admitted into the U.S.;
• The crime was committed more than seven years after the accused gained a lawful permanent resident status;
• The crime carries a sentence of less than one year.

If you have been accused of any of these crimes and are now facing deportation, you need information and someone to protect you.

Let an experienced St. Louis deportation attorney like Jim Hacking help you. He wrote a book on immigration issues, Ten Mistakes People Make When Dealing with Immigration, and can provide you with free, confidential information on how to stay in the United States. Contact him today at 888-782-4169 for your book, or to set up a no-obligation consultation.