Supreme Court Decision Raises Questions for Green Card Holders with Criminal History
We've received several calls this week about a recent Supreme Court decision involving lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who have been accused or convicted of certain crimes.
The most important takeaway is this: this decision does not affect every green card holder.
Instead, the case concerns when the government may treat a returning lawful permanent resident as someone seeking admission to the United States after international travel. For some green card holders with certain criminal convictions, that can mean increased scrutiny by immigration officials at the border.
If you are a lawful permanent resident and do not have a criminal history, this decision is unlikely to change your day-to-day immigration status.
If you do have a criminal arrest or conviction—even if it happened years ago or was reduced to a misdemeanor—we strongly recommend speaking with an immigration attorney before traveling outside the United States. Immigration law often treats criminal offenses very differently than state criminal courts do, and what seems like a minor case can sometimes have significant immigration consequences.
Every case is unique. If you have questions about how this decision may affect you or your family, our office is happy to review your individual circumstances before you make travel or other important decisions.