{"id":17912,"date":"2025-10-01T00:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T00:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paultolandlaw.com\/?p=17912"},"modified":"2026-08-21T19:58:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:58:54","slug":"domestic-violence-charges-and-deportation-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paultolandlaw.com\/pt-pt\/domestic-violence-charges-and-deportation-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic Violence Charges and Deportation Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are not a citizen of the United States, a domestic violence conviction, even for a misdemeanor, could lead to deportation. If you’re facing a domestic violence charge, immediately contact a <\/span>Boston immigration attorney<\/b><\/a> who also practices criminal law.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you have carried a green card for years, a domestic violence conviction may trigger a deportation proceeding. Immigration authorities consider these factors when they determine if a criminal conviction will prompt a deportation proceeding:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. the type of offense the non-citizen committed<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. the sentence the non-citizen received<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. the non-citizen’s immigration status<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What if You Violate a Protective Order?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    For non-citizens in the United States, a domestic violence conviction considerably increases the likelihood of deportation. If you have received a domestic violence conviction or you receive such a conviction in the future, a <\/span>Boston immigration lawyer<\/b><\/a> can fight to prevent your removal.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a non-citizen is also deportable based on a judicial finding (in either a criminal or civil court) that the individual violated a domestic violence-related protective or restraining order.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Unlike a criminal conviction, which requires a finding of guilt, the violation of a protective order can trigger a removal proceeding even without a formal domestic violence conviction.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Happens After a Domestic Violence Conviction?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If you are not a citizen, and a U.S. court convicts you of domestic violence or finds you violated a protective order, immigration authorities may begin the deportation process. You’ll receive a Form I-862 (“Notice to Appear Before an Immigration Judge”).<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you receive a Form I-862, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. Form I-862 requires you to appear at a procedural hearing. At that hearing, a judge explains the law and the deportation process. Have your immigration lawyer accompany you to the hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Happens After a Procedural Hearing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    After a procedural hearing, the court schedules an evidentiary hearing. At that hearing, the court hears and reviews evidence presented by immigration authorities and your immigration attorney. An evidentiary hearing is a “bench trial” with no jury, and the judge makes a final decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If your domestic violence conviction was years ago or if there are mitigating factors, you may be able to fight removal successfully. Let a Boston immigration attorney help you fight to stay in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Does Immigration Status Affect Removal Proceedings?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Your immigration status may determine if a domestic violence conviction leads to deportation. If a lawful permanent resident receives a domestic violence conviction or violates a protective order and becomes subject to removal, that person may request, with a lawyer’s help, a waiver of inadmissibility or cancellation of removal.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Non-citizens without documentation are particularly vulnerable to removal after receiving a domestic violence conviction. If you are undocumented, your attorney may help you qualify for cancellation of removal, asylum, or other relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Constitutes Domestic Violence in Massachusetts?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    In Massachusetts, a domestic violence incident is any violent incident between two people who are or were married, live together or have lived together, are related by blood or marriage, have children together, are currently in a dating relationship, or have been in a dating relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You do not need to be involved in an actual physical altercation to face a domestic violence charge. Making criminal threats, destroying a victim’s property, or injuring a victim’s pet also constitutes domestic violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

    When the police arrive at the scene of a reported domestic violence incident in Massachusetts, they usually make an arrest. If the police take you into custody, you will need help from a Boston immigration lawyer who also has experience in criminal defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Do You Contest a Domestic Violence Charge?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The best way to avoid deportation for a domestic violence conviction is to avoid the conviction with a vigorous defense. Mounting an effective defense may be a challenge, but to convict you, the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that may also be challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the Boston area, if you are facing a domestic violence charge, you must be defended by a Boston-area criminal attorney who has considerable experience handling domestic violence cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If the claim against you is false, your attorney will fight to uncover the truth. If you were acting in self-defense, your attorney will explain to the jury your side of the story. If you were acting to protect a third party, that may also be an effective defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What if You Receive a Domestic Violence Conviction?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    While a domestic violence conviction may lead to a deportation hearing, deportation isn’t automatic after such a conviction. A deportation defense lawyer may use one of the following strategies or defenses to prevent your removal from the United States:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Cancellation of removal: If you hold a green card or are related to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, your attorney may request a cancellation of removal.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Waiver of inadmissibility: Your deportation defense attorney can request a waiver of inadmissibility that allows you to remain in the U.S. with a criminal conviction.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Withholding of removal or asylum: If removal would make you a target of persecution or violence in your home country, you may be eligible for withholding of removal or asylum status.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Post-conviction relief: You may be able to challenge your domestic violence conviction and have it overturned by appealing, requesting a reduction of charges, or requesting a new trial.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      How Can Toland Law Help You?<\/span><\/h2>\n

      To protect your immigration status if the state charges you with a crime of domestic violence, you must be represented by an attorney who practices both immigration law and criminal law. In Massachusetts, you should contact the legal team at Toland Law.<\/span><\/p>\n

      If you bring a domestic violence case to us, we’ll fight aggressively for a dismissal of the charge or a not guilty verdict. If you’ve already received a domestic violence conviction, we will help you prove to the immigration authorities that you should be allowed to remain in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

      U.S. immigration laws and Massachusetts criminal law are exceedingly complicated. If you’re not a citizen, take nothing for granted. Get the help you need with any criminal charge or immigration matter by calling Toland Law at <\/span>781-819-3647<\/b><\/a> and scheduling a consultation.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      If you are not a citizen of the United States, a domestic violence conviction, even for a misdemeanor, could lead to deportation. If you’re facing a domestic violence charge, immediately contact a Boston immigration attorney who also practices criminal law. Even if you have carried a green card for years, a domestic violence conviction may […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-domestic-violence","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nDomestic Violence and Removal | Boston, MA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Has the state charged you with domestic violence? 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