Crimes of Moral Turpitude

An immigrant is always free to leave the United States voluntarily prior to the beginning of removal proceedings.  Following conviction or admission of an offense that triggers inadmissibility (e.g., a crime involving moral turpitude), however, a noncitizen will likely be deemed inadmissible if s/he tries thereafter to re-enter the United States.

            At the border, a noncitizen may be granted voluntary departure or allowed officially to withdraw an application for admission, or may be informally turned back.  See N. Tooby & J. Rollin, Criminal Defense of Immigrants § 15.16 (4th Ed. 2007).