Although Bukh & Associates accepts cases from a wide spectrum of the law, one area of specialization is in the representation of non-citizens/ immigrants in the following situations:
• Before criminal conviction;
• In actual deportation or removal proceedings; and
• In obtaining post-conviction relief to clear criminal records for immigrants in order to avoid or minimize adverse immigration consequences.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and accused of a state or federal crime, you not only face time in jail and fines, but you may face deportation from U.S. of America and in some cases indefinite detention by the immigration service. Even if you do not spend a single day in jail, you may still be subject to deportation or removal procedures.

The Brooklyn, NY-based attorneys of Bukh & Associates, PLLC has great concern and understanding for immigrants facing felony charges and criminal deportation. Even those classified as "lawful permanent residents" are far from truly "permanent," as they are not afforded the criminal rights that native-born citizens enjoy. The consequences of criminal convictions for immigrants are often severe and without remedy. Criminal deportation, or refusal of entry after a trip abroad, can result if a resident:

• Leaves the United States for more than one year,
• Is convicted of a "crime of moral turpitude" within five years of entering the United States.
• Is convicted of two "crimes of moral turpitude" at any time,
• Is convicted of an aggravated felony, including many felonies that hardly seem "aggravated" such as tax evasion.

Bukh and Associates, PLLC works proactively with outside criminal defense lawyers to protect an individual's right to enter, remain, or return to the United States before the commencement of removal proceedings. We forcefully challenge the government's case and insistently pursue all avenues of relief, using whatever plea agreements, writs of habeas corpus and mandamus, or other legal tools to accomplish our clients' goals. We combine professional counseling, aggressive advocacy, and insight into the prosecutor's motivation to vindicate our client's interests, and to reach a favorable resolution.

At Bukh & Associates, our removal and criminal deportation defense attorneys offer representation to clients facing removal (deportation) from the United States, deferred inspections, and immigration bond hearings. Illegal entry, unlawful presence, violation of immigration laws, and criminal convictions can all result in deportation or exclusion from the United States.  We can assist in obtaining relief from removal in many instances. If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime, contact an experienced deportation attorney at Bukh & Associates today.

Our deportation defense attorneys have argued before the Federal District Court, the Federal Court of Appeals, the U.S. Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Even a lawful permanent resident could face a deportation order if he or she is convicted of a felony. The list of crimes that can endanger an immigrant's status is long, and any felony conviction poses a threat. Reasons for being subject to deportation or removal include the following:

• Aggravated felonies
• Drug offenses
• Fraud and other white collar crimes
• Security/terrorism related crimes
• Unauthorized stay
• Unauthorized employment
• Unauthorized entry attempt
• Overstaying the limits of a visitor or student visa

If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime, contact Bukh & Associates, PLLC, today.

It is better to voluntarily notify immigration authorities of your status before they come looking for you because you are in the country illegally. Making a good faith effort to rectify any application or reporting mistakes with authorities can have a positive effect on the outcome of your case. The law offices of Bukh and Associates advise and represent immigrants facing deportation or removal. Arkady Bukh works with the court and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reach an agreement that will allow his client(s) to either stay in the country or reserve the right to apply for re-entry.

If you have violated the terms of your visa or are in the country illegally for other reasons, contact immigration deportation attorneys at Bukh and Associates PLLC today.

Deportation and exclusion both mean that you are not allowed to stay in the U.S., but they are different in some ways. Deportation is the forcing of either legal or illegal immigrants to leave the country while exclusion prevents someone from entering the country. Your rights are different depending on the procedure. You may be subject to exclusion or deportation if you fall into one or more of the statutory classes. Grounds for exclusion or deportation include health, conviction of crimes, threats to U.S. security, or violations of immigration laws. Aliens seeking admission to the United States are subject to exclusion proceedings in an immigration court to determine whether they'll be allowed to enter. Deportation proceedings are conducted if the alien has already entered the United States. Without express permission, an alien who's been excluded from the United States may not re-enter for one year. An alien who's been deported may not re-enter for five years. If you re-enter before this time without express permission from Immigration, you may be charged with a felony.

The penalty for re-entry without permission if you have been charged with a criminal offense may be much greater. You can be deported and permanently excluded if you've ever committed fraud or willfully misrepresented a material fact to obtain a visa. You can also be deported and excluded from the U.S. forever if you've ever been convicted of a crime related to narcotics or marijuana. The marijuana charge must be for more than one incident of possession of a small amount.

Under the Immigration Act of 1990, you can also be deported and excluded if you have been convicted of an aggravated felony.

Preventing Matters from Escalating:

The criminal courts system and USCIS are not particularly interested in looking for reasons to avoid deporting someone who is in the country illegally. However, hiring an attorney who can work with the authorities in explaining the circumstances surrounding your case and explore alternatives to deportation or removal is important.

Sometimes, it's a matter of clarifying with USCIS mistakes you've made in not notifying them of an address change or getting your visa renewed on time. In more serious cases, it may involve illegally residing in the US for years without ever notifying the authorities of your status. Arkady Bukh will evaluate your case and determine the best way to resolve your case.

Located in Brooklyn, New York, the Law Offices of Bukh & Associates represent immigration law, family based immigration, criminal deportation defense and employment based immigration legal services to clients from the New York City area, including Long Island, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Newark, New Jersey. Clients from Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Bergen County, New Jersey are welcome.