The Impact a Few Traffic Violations Can Have on Your Visa Status

 Posted on October 13, 2016 in Traffic Offenses

Foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States, either for work, school, or anotherpurpose, gain entry through a visa. Anumber of different types of visas are awarded based on the reason for the foreign national’s stay in the United States. However,there are also many restrictions on visas. If these restrictions are violated, one’s visa can berevoked by the U.S. government. For instance, a visa can be revoked if the visa holder is convicted of committing a crime in the United States.

Barred From Re-entry Into the U.S.

Being convicted of a criminal offense in the United States is often a violation of the terms of your visa. Therefore,if you leave the country and try and return to the United States, you will most likely be barred from re-entry into the United States by immigration officers at the airport, or via your port of entry. Moreover, youcould be denied entry into the United States for years.

Even Too Many Traffic Offenses Can Result in Visa Revocation

Traffic violations are common minor offenses. However,each timeyou pay a traffic ticket without fighting it, you are effectively admitting your guilt to the alleged traffic violation. This is the same as if you were convicted for your traffic violation. Convictions for traffic violations result in points being added to your driver’s license. When you accumulate too many points on your driver’s license, your driving privileges are suspendedand you are no longer permittedto operate a motor vehicle. Operating a motor vehicle while on a suspended driver’s license is a serious criminal offense and can result in the revocation of yourvisa.

Foreign nationals who obtain a visa for entry into the United States generally do so with a purpose, such as for the purpose of attending school or to get a U.S. job. Hence, it iscritically important for these individuals to maintain their visa status. Anyone who is a visa holder andhas been charged with a traffic violation needs to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Fighting your traffic citation is the best chance that you will have to get the charges against you reduced or even dropped completely so that you can remain in the United States on your visa.

Receivea Traffic Ticket While on a Visa? Get a Lawyer

If you have received atraffic citation, it is essential to consider if itis inyourbest interests to fight the ticket. Please contact a skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney at our firm and let us assist you throughout each step of your case. Call847-253-3100 today.

Source:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_dc19.pdf