Safe Havens

The starting point in finding a safe haven is to investigate the relevant criminal and immigration history.  Second, it is necessary to include both immigration and criminal history in a single chronology.  Third, the chronology must be analyzed, to determine the immigration effects of each portion of the developing criminal history.  Finally, the current or potential criminal charges can be examined, the immigration consequences of each likely or possible conviction can be analyzed, and a range of safe havens can be identified.

            The investigation normally requires:

(1)  Interviewing the client.  See § 5.3, infra.

(2)  Obtaining information about immigration status.  See § 5.6, infra.

(3)  Obtaining information on client’s equities.  See § 5.8, infra.

(4)  Obtaining information about the criminal case.  See § 5.9, infra.

(5)  Verifying the immigration situation.  See § 5.10, infra.

(6)  Filing FOIA requests.  See § 5.11, infra.

(7)  Verifying exact criminal history.  See § 5.12, infra.

          (a) FBI Criminal History Report.  See § 5.14, infra.

          (b) State Criminal History Records.  See § 5.15, infra.

          (c) Department of Motor Vehicle Conviction Records.  See § 5.16, infra.

(8)  Obtaining records from the rendering court.  See § 5.17, infra.

(9)  Preparing a chronology.  See § 5.18, infra.