(A)  Significance of Conviction.  Most of the worst immigration consequences of criminal cases flow from the existence of a criminal “conviction.”  This is a term of art, defined by immigration law, and many state-court dispositions in criminal cases that are not considered convictions under state law can nonetheless constitute convictions under federal immigration law.  The consequences of criminal convictions can include permanent deportation, inadmissibility, refusal to admit the client into the United States, denial of immigration status such as naturalized citizenship, and many other adverse immigration consequences.  See § § 7.3, et seq., infra.

Sixth Circuit

CONVICTION - COLLATERAL ATTACK IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS NOT PERMITTED
Al-Najar v. Mukasey, __ F.3d __, 2008 WL 245632 (6th Cir. Jan. 31, 2008) (petitioner's challenge to the state court conviction in immigration court constituted an impermissible collateral attack).