Attorney Danny Izquierdo is not an immigration lawyer. If you are looking for legal assistance with obtaining citizenship, you will need a law firm that takes those kinds of cases. However, Danny is a criminal defense attorney who proudly represents clients who have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and charged with a criminal offense. If convicted of one of these crimes, you face fines, prison time, deportation, and a permanent ban from entering the U.S. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact our federal defense team if you or a loved one has been arrested by ICE and charged with one of these crimes.
Illegal Reentry
Arrests for illegal reentry have increased steadily under Donald Trump’s presidency, and ICE aggressively pursues people suspected of it. Being convicted of illegal reentry will get you deported and could land you in prison for a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years. You could be charged with this crime if you:
- Have been denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed or have departed the United States while an order of exclusion, deportation, or removal is outstanding, AND you
- Enter, attempt to enter, or are at any time found in the United States.
As your attorney, Danny Izquierdo will look at your specific circumstances to build a defense. Possible defenses include proving that you originally left the country voluntarily, that you are not the person listed on the original deportation orders, and attacking the validity of the original deportation or exclusion order.
Citizenship Fraud
Knowingly committing fraud to get citizenship documents is one of the most serious immigration violations on the books. In fact, the Trump administration created a task force in 2018, whose sole purpose is to investigate citizenship fraud. Citizenship fraud may be committed by using a false name, false alien registration number, or failing to disclose a prior criminal conviction, misrepresentation, or order of removal when applying for citizenship. If convicted of citizenship fraud, you face imprisonment of up to 25 years, probation, fines, and immigration consequences, including a permanent ban on re-entering the U.S. with no exceptions or waivers.
The key for prosecutors to get any fraud charge to stick is proving that you knowingly provided false information with the intent to defraud. One possible defense to a citizenship fraud charge is proving that you believed the information you gave was true. A defense to the related charge of making false claims to citizenship for the purpose of voting, working, or applying for a U.S. passport, is showing that you believed yourself to be a citizen. Our defense team will work hard to build the best possible defense on your behalf.
Marriage Fraud
Beginning in the 1980s, marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals have been heavily scrutinized by the U.S. government. If there is even the least suspicion that the purpose of the marriage is to evade U.S. immigration laws, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will demand proof that the marriage is authentic. In an attempt to prove that a marriage is a sham, agents will:
- Interview spouses separately and compare tiny details and dates
- Obtain copies of bank statements, lease agreements, and mortgage applications to look for evidence of separate lives
- Visit the home, talk to family members and neighbors, and even follow the couple around to find inconsistencies
A foreign national charged with marriage fraud faces deportation, while both the immigrant and the U.S. citizen face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If you are being investigated for marriage fraud—or have been called in for a second “Stokes” interview, you should call our office in Miami before answering any questions from USCIS.
Don’t Tempt Fate by Facing These Charges Alone
Even if you know you have broken the law in trying to enter the U.S. or obtain citizenship, a federal defense attorney can help you avoid the most serious penalties. In some cases, returning to your home country is preferable to serving a prison sentence in the U.S. In other cases, the opposite is true. Without an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side, however, you will have no say in the matter. If you are, in fact, not guilty, your attorney will fight to get the charges dropped.
Have You Been Charged With A Federal Crime?
If you've been charged with a federal crime you need to speak with an experienced federal crime attorney as soon as possible. Contact me online or call me at my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.
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