Immigration-related criminal charges are some of the most complicated and high-stakes cases in the criminal justice system. When you face accusations involving immigration fraud, human smuggling, document fraud, or other immigration crimes, you’re not only confronting potential criminal penalties but also serious immigration consequences that could affect your ability to remain in the United States. 

At George Law, our Miami immigration crime defense attorneys understand the intersection of criminal and immigration law and provide aggressive representation to protect both your freedom and your immigration status.

If you or a loved one has been charged with an immigration-related crime in Miami or anywhere in South Florida, contact George Law immediately. 

Understanding Immigration Crimes

Immigration crimes encompass a broad range of offenses related to violation of federal immigration laws. These charges can arise from attempts to enter or remain in the United States unlawfully, providing false information to immigration authorities, or assisting others in violating immigration regulations. The federal government aggressively prosecutes these cases, often imposing harsh penalties that include substantial prison sentences, significant fines, and immigration consequences including deportation.

Common immigration-related criminal charges include: 

  • Illegal reentry after deportation
  • Visa fraud, marriage fraud
  • Harboring undocumented individuals
  • Human smuggling
  • Document fraud including use of false identification
  • Immigration document forgery
  • Fraud in immigration benefit applications
  • Unlawful employment of undocumented workers

Each of these offenses carries serious penalties, and convictions can have devastating effects on your life, your family, and your future in the United States.

Miami’s position as an international gateway makes it a focal point for federal immigration enforcement efforts. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida actively investigate and prosecute immigration crimes throughout South Florida. When federal authorities target you, you need an experienced Miami immigration crime defense lawyer who understands how to challenge the government’s case and protect your rights at every stage of the proceedings.

Illegal Reentry After Deportation

One of the most frequently prosecuted immigration crimes is illegal reentry after deportation under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. This offense occurs when someone who has been formally removed or deported from the United States returns without authorization. The penalties for illegal reentry increase substantially based on the underlying reason for the original deportation and the individual’s criminal history.

Our Miami immigration crime defense attorneys challenge illegal reentry prosecutions on multiple grounds. We examine whether the original removal proceedings were fundamentally unfair or violated due process, whether you received proper notice of the removal proceedings, whether the removal order was legally valid, and whether the government can prove you were the person actually deported. These defenses require detailed investigation into immigration court records, careful analysis of procedural requirements, and aggressive litigation when constitutional violations occurred.

Immigration Document Fraud and False Statements

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly use, possess, or traffic in fraudulent immigration documents. These charges often arise from allegations that someone used a false green card, work authorization document, Social Security card, or passport. Prosecutors also charge individuals with making false statements on immigration applications, including visa applications, naturalization petitions, and asylum claims.

These cases frequently involve undercover operations, surveillance, and document examination by forensic experts. George Law’s defense team understands that document fraud cases often involve misunderstandings, incorrect advice from notarios or immigration consultants, or documents obtained without the defendant’s knowledge that they were fraudulent. 

Marriage Fraud and Fraud in Immigration Benefits

Marriage fraud charges arise when federal prosecutors allege that someone entered into a marriage primarily to evade immigration laws rather than to establish a genuine marital relationship. The government investigates these cases extensively, often conducting interviews, surveillance, and detailed examinations of the couple’s living arrangements, financial relationships, and personal interactions.

Both the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and the foreign national spouse can face charges. These cases are particularly challenging because they often involve deeply personal aspects of people’s lives and relationships that prosecutors mischaracterize or misunderstand. Our Miami immigration crime defense lawyers recognize that genuine relationships can appear suspicious to investigators unfamiliar with different cultural practices, economic circumstances, or family arrangements. 

Human Smuggling and Harboring

Human smuggling charges under 8 U.S.C. § 1324 apply to individuals accused of bringing or attempting to bring undocumented persons into the United States or transporting them within the country. Harboring charges apply to those accused of concealing, harboring, or shielding undocumented individuals from detection. These cases carry severe penalties, particularly when they involve allegations of smuggling for financial gain or when they result in serious bodily injury or death.

Miami’s geography makes it a common venue for human smuggling prosecutions, particularly cases involving maritime smuggling from the Caribbean or Central and South America. Our defense team has experience handling complex smuggling cases and understands the investigation techniques federal agents employ. 

Visa Fraud and Application Fraud

Visa fraud encompasses various schemes involving fraudulent visa applications, including employment-based visas, family-based visas, and temporary visas for tourists, students, or temporary workers. These cases often involve allegations of providing false information about employment, family relationships, financial status, or criminal history on visa applications or supporting documents.

Federal prosecutors also charge individuals with fraud related to other immigration benefits, including applications for asylum, adjustment of status, or naturalization. These cases frequently involve document examination, interviews with witnesses, and detailed analysis of application materials. Penalties vary depending on the specific charges but typically include substantial prison sentences and permanent bars to future immigration benefits.

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions

Beyond imprisonment and other direct criminal penalties, immigration crime convictions carry severe immigration consequences. A conviction can result in mandatory detention pending removal proceedings, ineligibility for most forms of relief from deportation, permanent inadmissibility to the United States, and loss of current immigration status including lawful permanent residence. For non-citizens, these immigration consequences can be more devastating than the criminal sentence itself.

Our Miami immigration crime defense attorneys consider both criminal and immigration consequences when developing defense strategies. We work to achieve outcomes that protect not only your freedom but also your ability to remain in the United States with your family. This may involve negotiating dispositions that avoid immigration consequences, fighting for acquittals at trial when the evidence warrants it, or pursuing post-conviction relief when immigration consequences were not properly explained.

Why Choose George Law for Your Immigration Crime Defense?

Immigration crime cases require attorneys who understand both criminal defense and immigration law. At George Law, our legal team has the experience, knowledge, and commitment necessary to handle these complex cases effectively. We provide thorough investigation of the charges against you, aggressive challenge to the government’s evidence, strategic defense planning that addresses both criminal and immigration consequences, and personalized attention throughout your case.

Our Miami office serves clients throughout South Florida facing federal immigration crime charges. We understand the fear and uncertainty that comes with these accusations, and we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. When your freedom and your future in the United States are at stake, you need experienced legal representation that will fight for your rights at every stage of the proceedings.

Contact a Miami Immigration Crime Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re under investigation or have been charged with an immigration-related crime, time is critical. Early involvement of an experienced defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Contact George Law at (305) 977-4529 or visit our Miami office at 4040 NE 2nd Ave Suite #1D, Miami, FL 33137 to schedule a confidential consultation. We’re ready to protect your rights and fight for your future.