Can I Fix My Immigration Status with a Felony? Here's How

Introduction

We hear from many individuals with very complicated immigration cases including those who have prior felony convictions on record. Immigration and prior criminal convictions are two subjects that can cause much confusion. Men and women with past mistakes on their record wonder if they can ever obtain legal resident status and how they can fix their immigration status.

Fortunately, there are many ways that a man or woman with a questionable immigration status can fix their status, especially when they have legal representation assisting them to regaining control of their lives.

However, how do individuals with many past mistakes on their record fix their status?

Assess the Impact of a Criminal Record on Immigration Status

How will a past mistake impact the future hold for you? With so many crimes and their respective classifications in the U.S. today, a single criminal record can mean many things for the individual. I can help fix papers of people that have been charged with felonies and we will explain to them the classification of their crimes in the greatest amount of detail.

• Aggravated Felonies: These are the worst of the worst kind of felonies and would include such crimes as murder, serious drug offenses, and other very serious offenses, including many kinds of very serious thefts. The definition of an aggravated felony has changed in the last several years. Aggravated felonies can make individuals who are in the U.S. temporarily and illegally deportable. (If you are in removal proceedings then you are here illegally.) These offenses also may make someone who has a green card deportable if he or she is outside the U.S. for more than 180 days. Additionally, aggravated offenses may make someone who is seeking to come to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident permanently barred from entering the U.S. for mandatory detention, and be automatically removed and have little to no opportunity for appeal. As such, these types of crimes can and do trigger very serious consequences for individuals and families alike. As such, I work closely with individuals with aggravated offenses in order to seek the relief to which they are entitled, including and by way of example asylum relief and cancellation of removal. I work closely with families as well to see if any family members will be impacted by an individual’s convictions and to explore possible relief on their behalf. The consequences for individuals who have been convicted of these kinds of offenses are very serious indeed.
• Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT): Offenses of a criminal nature involving conduct which is contrary to the rules of natural justice or defies the accepted standards of society would classify an individual as being removable for having committed a crime of moral turpitude. Examples of such crimes are listed above under fraud offenses as well as other violent crimes such as assault with intent to kill or robbery. The single conviction of a CIMT within 5 years of admission to the U.S. of a crime that is punishable by a sentence of one year or more would make the person deportable.

In other words, people with aggravated felonies can use my services to complete the necessary paperwork and find the best way to approach relief such as seeking asylum or trying for cancellation of removal. In the end, past mistakes need not dictate an individual’s future.

Explore Legal Remedies: Waivers and Visa Options for Felons

Hope for People with Felony Convictions and their Families: There are ways to modify their immigration status.

• Waivers (I-601 waivers) and other ways your case could be found approvable. Many people who are reading this were looking for a way to Hope for a Family Member and they found out about I-601 waivers, among other possibilities. The problem with obtaining approval of I-601 waivers is the long list of possible grounds for denial and the inquiries which make your heart drop in order to investigate them.

• Visa Options: Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, there are several different types of visas that you may be eligible for. Here are a few examples:

  • U Visa: These legal status applications can be made by people who are already in the U.S. that have been victims of certain crimes. The most important factor is that the victim assists law enforcement with the investigation and prosecution of the criminal that committed the victim’s crime.
  • T Visa: People who are victims of human trafficking can receive protection while they are in the U.S. and then apply for lawful permanent resident status.
  • Family-Sponsored Visas: There are several different family-sponsored visas which can be used to adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. People can come here as immigrants for permanent residence by the virtue of having a U.S. citizen relative or even lawful permanent resident relative in the United States.

Many immigrants will find out about changes to the process for approving applications for adjustment of status (green cards) in immigration process soon. One recent change from USCIS that has been getting a lot of attention is the new procedures memo that was issued on May 21, 2026. One of the biggest questions with this memo is how it will affect the processing of current immigrant visa applications. As you can tell, each immigrant’s situation is very unique, and so there are many different ways that an immigrant can eventually obtain a permanent residency in the US. If you are seeking to obtain a permanent residency in the U.S., it would be wise to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney who can help you navigate through the process to apply for the proper type of visa for your situation. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff at Zimmerman Kelson are here to assist and represent you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and speak English and Spanish. We have free initial consultations with all of our clients, so don’t wait to reach out to us today and set up a time for us to speak with you in further detail regarding your unique situation.

Demonstrate Good Moral Character: Strategies and Evidence Required

I am in big trouble right now. I have been charged with a felony. This means that I have to go through the whole process of getting my felony fixed so that I can fix all of my papers. This is a very difficult time for me, and I am finding it very hard to come to terms with what I have done, and how I can repair the papers for my immigration. In this post I am going to explain a number of ways that you can improve your chances of getting your immigration approved, even if you have a felony on your record.

• Gather Documentation: As previously mentioned, in order to strengthen your application, it is very important to present documentation of your past community involvement, for example:

  • Letters of recommendation from community leaders or employers.
  • Proof of volunteer work or participation in community service.
  • Evidence of compliance with probation or parole requirements.

• Personal Statements: In these statements, applicants can describe their past mistakes, how they learned from them, and how they are today a responsible member of society in full compliance of the requirements of law. These types of statements are powerful tools that help support an applicant's journey of personal growth.

• Character References: These are typically letters of recommendation from family and friends, as well as from co-workers. The letter should clearly outline your positive attributes, as well as the way in which you are a positive member of society.

These are also found in previously written material on this site called “puedo arreglar papeles si tengo una felonía” where we try to explain to people who are trying to get their visas approved through getting stronger immigration applications the positive changes that they have been through as well as their involvement in their community in order to prove their rehabilitation. Having the ability to prove an applicant’s good moral character is something that an applicant trying to get approved for a visa is required to prove to the border control authorities in charge of deciding visa applications in their respective areas. According to recent evaluations by border control authorities, it is noted that applicants who are trying to get approved for their respective visas are more likely to get approved for their respective applications if the applicants prove the applicants’ good moral character by showing the applicants’ proof of their rehabilitation as well as their positive involvement in their respective communities.

Engage Legal Assistance: Finding the Right Attorney for Your Case

We can help you with your immigration problems even if you are a felon. There are several things to consider when looking for the best legal help for your situation, and we have outlined some of the key factors to consider when searching for the best legal representation for immigration problems.

• Specialization: You are looking for the services of attorneys that specialize in Immigration law, including representation of persons with Criminal Records, Felonies, etc. - the best Immigration lawyers will provide you with the necessary guidance and assist you with the proper legal procedures that will result in a favorable outcome.
• Consultation: This will be a good opportunity for you to sit down with a number of attorneys that can service your needs and discuss your specific situation. We will answer all of your questions and also give you information about the attorney fees that we charge for services. We offer FREE Initial Consultation.
• Reviews and References: Read reviews online for the best immigration attorneys. Check out Vasquez Law Firm’s Avvo.com reviews and ask for references from previous clients to learn about the experiences of the lawyer and previous clients’ ratings of the service provided.
• Bilingual Services: Vasquez Law Firm services are offered in both English and Spanish to better serve the needs of our clients. In addition, affordable immigration legal services are provided to all persons seeking legal services, regardless of their financial circumstances. The variety of payment options that can be made to Vasquez Law Firm can be adapted to meet the needs of all of our clients.

Your lawyer can make a huge difference in your effort to get a visa to correct your status and hope for the best. The chances of a favorable decision are 5 times as big when represented by an immigration attorney than when not represented by an attorney. Moreover, it is very important to have an attorney familiar with both the laws of immigration as well as the laws of the criminal offenses that the person in immigration removal proceedings has committed. In North Carolina and in Florida, there are large variations in rates of representation by attorneys for both immigration and criminal offenses. This is why, in the situation that is explained in this page, it is very important to an attorney that can represent you in both, North Carolina immigration attorney and in Florida immigration attorney, as well as in both situations, a North Carolina criminal attorney, as well as a Florida criminal attorney. Puedo arreglar papeles si tengo una felonía. 59% of the people in pending deportation removal proceedings are represented by NO attorneys! In order to have any chance of a favorable decision, it is very important to have an excellent, knowledgeable, and experienced qualified immigration attorney, to help you in the best way possible in your proceedings of deportation.

Conclusion

Losing hope is one of the hardest things to overcome and once we have closed the door on our past, there’s always hope for a better future. For immigrants who have been convicted of a felony, there are some ways to change their immigration status. Immigrants with felony convictions can apply for a waiver, or seek approval for a visa application. The most important aspect of this is obtaining the services of an experienced immigration lawyer to assist with the application.

The key to making the strongest application possible is to:

1. Gather all of the relevant documentation
2. Write a strong personal statement
3. Obtain character references from the appropriate sources

There are many qualified and experienced immigration lawyers that can help with your application. At Vasquez Law Firm, for example, we are committed to assisting all of our clients, including those who speak only Spanish, and we offer flexible payment plans to ensure that we can assist as many individuals as possible.

Finally fixing your immigration status after a felony involves much more than just going through the proper legal channels to try and sort out your status and move on with your life. It is also about personal growth and getting involved in your community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a criminal record impact immigration status?

A criminal record can significantly affect an individual's immigration status, potentially leading to deportation or barring from entering the U.S., especially if the record includes aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude.

What are aggravated felonies?

Aggravated felonies are serious crimes such as murder, serious drug offenses, and severe thefts. These offenses can lead to deportation for individuals in the U.S. illegally and may bar lawful permanent residents from re-entering the U.S. if they have been outside for more than 180 days.

What are the consequences of having an aggravated felony on immigration status?

Individuals with aggravated felonies may face mandatory detention, automatic removal from the U.S., and limited opportunities for appeal. This can have serious implications for both the individual and their family.

What are crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT)?

Crimes involving moral turpitude are offenses that violate societal norms and include actions like fraud and violent crimes such as assault with intent to kill. A single CIMT conviction within five years of entering the U.S. can lead to deportation.

Can individuals with aggravated felonies seek relief?

Yes, individuals with aggravated felonies can seek relief through services that help complete necessary paperwork and explore options such as asylum or cancellation of removal.

How can Vasquez Law Firm assist individuals with criminal records?

Vasquez Law Firm provides assistance in navigating the complexities of immigration law for individuals with criminal records, helping them understand their options and seek the relief they are entitled to.

List of Sources

1. Assess the Impact of a Criminal Record on Immigration Status
   • Criminal Convictions Their Impact on US Immigration Status (https://novo-legal.com/en/blog/criminal-convictions-and-impacts-on-immigration-status)
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   • How Criminal Convictions Can Affect Your Immigration Status (https://ahlgrenlaw.com/2024/09/immigration-consequences-of-criminal-convictions)
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2. Explore Legal Remedies: Waivers and Visa Options for Felons
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3. Demonstrate Good Moral Character: Strategies and Evidence Required
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4. Engage Legal Assistance: Finding the Right Attorney for Your Case
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   • 5 Reasons to Hire an Immigration Criminal Defense Lawyer (https://godoyolivieri.com/blog/5-reasons-to-hire-an-immigration-criminal-defense-lawyer)
   • Why Immigrants Need Access to Legal Counsel (https://immigrantjustice.org/issues/immigrants-need-access-to-counsel)
   • A Shortage of Immigration Lawyers Is Another Barrier to Integration for Immigrants - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/shortage-immigration-lawyers-barrier)