Crimmigration in a Nutshell

Wondering where to begin when determining how to advise a noncitizen client of the potential immigration consequences of involvement with the criminal legal system? Wondering if it would be safe for your noncitizen client to accept a plea deal or to apply for United States citizenship when they have some criminal history? Trying to figure out if a conviction for your jurisdiction’s theft offense will make someone deportable?

Crimmigration Law in a Nutshell provides an introduction that will open the door for you to a deeply rewarding and intellectually stimulating area of the law. Practice at the intersection of immigration and criminal law is complex and often involves high-stakes consequences ranging from prolonged immigration detention to deportation. It can also be the key to keeping families together and to transformational problem solving for clients.

Crimmigration Law in a Nutshell will guide the reader through the analysis required for these cases, as well as the best practices for representing noncitizens who are facing criminal charges, have been convicted of criminal activity, or are suspected of having engaged in criminal activity. The text includes discussion of the relevant sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act as well as detailed explanations of the categorical, modified categorical, and circumstance-specific approaches used to analyze whether a criminal statute will trigger immigration consequences. Readers will come away with a solid foundational grasp of these concepts while understanding the need for detailed and nuanced research and analysis on a case-by-case basis. Readers will be introduced to immigration concepts like inadmissibility, deportability, crimes involving moral turpitude, and aggravated felonies. Chapters on immigration detention, preserving eligibility for relief from removal, federal immigration crimes, post-conviction relief, and the obligations of criminal counsel will give the larger context. Practical considerations for both criminal defense counsel and immigration attorneys are woven in throughout.

Intended for students and practitioners venturing into a new area of practice, Crimmigration Law in a Nutshell is a helpful introduction for both criminal and immigration practitioners looking to deepen their knowledge of this important legal intersection. Each chapter ends with hypothetical examples and summarizes key concepts and takeaways. It is the perfect introduction to a challenging and rewarding area of the law.

Imprint: West Academic Publishing
Series: Nutshells
Publication Date: 05/28/2025
Related Subject(s): Criminal Law