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We Believe in Second Chances

POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROGRAM

ImmDef is one of the only nonprofits in California with dedicated staff focused on representation in post-conviction relief. Post-conviction relief gives immigrants the chance to challenge unlawful criminal convictions that are the basis of their removal proceedings in immigration court or otherwise impacting their ability to obtain or maintain lawful immigration status.​

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A Fighting Chance in Court

Many people do not realize that a conviction for a low-level offense such as petty theft, shoplifting, or non-violent drug possession can trigger a deportation order, even for lawful permanent residents (LPRs). These individuals may have had status in the United States for years, families, U.S. citizen children, and may not have any memories of their country of birth. A minor criminal conviction that may have no long-term consequences for a U.S. citizen can become a life sentence for someone who only has legal residency.   â€‹

Depending on the conviction, immigration judges may not have the discretion to grant relief from deportation, regardless of mitigating factors in the case – including misdemeanor convictions in many cases. For lawful permanent residents whose convictions effectively make them ineligible for any immigration relief from deportation, vacating the criminal conviction may be the only chance they have to remain in the United States. â€‹

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While the California Legislature passed section 1473.7 of the Penal Code in 2017, allowing more individuals to seek post-conviction relief , significant barriers remain. ImmDef's PCR team sees each case as an opportunity to defend and advance the rights of noncitizens navigating the immigration process. To that end, we look for and pursue opportunities to refine, clarify, and extend the law, as we recently demonstrated in People v. Manzanilla, where a California Court of Appeal issued a published decision clarify key legal issues that impact noncitizens seeking to vacate immigration-adverse convictions.     

REFER A CASE

You are submitting a referral on behalf of yourself or someone who is NOT detained by ICE and without immigration counsel   

You are submitting a referral on behalf of yourself or someone who is currently detained by ICE and without immigration counsel 

Attorney submitting on behalf of a client

Everyone deserves a second chance. 

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