QUESTION
Will a minor infraction affect my immigration status?
Asked on Feb 10th, 2011 on Immigration - California
More details to this question:
Can infraction like pedestrian or jaywalking affect my immigration status? Currently, I do not have status. I am worried about receiving tickets from a police officer, since I don't have status.
4 ANSWERS
Receiving tickets for jaywalking and other infractions is okay as long as you pay the ticket and the ticket did not turn into a warrant for your arrest. If you are arrested for failure to pay the infraction or traffic ticket, the police may submit your information to Immigration Custom and Enforcement (ICE) to see if you have legal status. If the check comes back negative that you don't have status, you can be transferred to ICE custody for deportation. However, just getting a ticket when there was no arrest or charges against you then your illegal status will usually go undetected.
Answered on Feb 14th, 2011 at 10:43 AM
It could be a problem if the officer requests an ID and you are not able to provide one. If the officer finds out that you are here illegally he can refer you to immigration.
Answered on Feb 12th, 2011 at 7:58 AM
William C. Gosnell
Felonies, crimes involving drugs, and moral turpitude crimes are deportable but not minor traffic crimes.
Answered on Feb 11th, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Immigration and Naturalization Attorney serving San Francisco, CA
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The Law Office of Christine Troy
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A minor infraction is not something which normally impacts a person's ability to obtain or retain a green card. However if police pull you into custody and an ICE agent is called or "arrives" at the station, they can attempt to put you on an immigration hold, which will result in immigration proceedings.
Answered on Feb 11th, 2011 at 2:13 PM