Castan y Lecca Group
The United States is often described as a land of dreams for immigrants. It’s talked about as if it is “the promised land,” a country where immigrants can get any job they want and achieve their wishes. This is why many non-citizens cross the border to America. They sacrifice everything, including leaving their loved ones behind, so that they can find a better future for their family.  As a non-citizen, it’s essential to know that making a wrong decision can immediately complicate your immigration status. Facing criminal charges puts your future in the U.S. at risk. Criminal charges can lead to immediate deportation and throw away all the effort you have made so far. You need to be extra careful when dealing with crimmigration cases.  A team of experienced criminal defense attorneys, like Castan & Lecca, can guide you and ensure the best possible outcome for your future in this country. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about crimmigration cases.

What Does “Crimmigration” Mean?

The word “Crimmigration” only appeared a few years ago. Lawyers use this term to describe those whose legal practice focuses on the mixture of criminal defense and immigration. It focuses on defending criminal offenses and the way it affects people’s immigration status. When an American citizen commits a crime in the United States and is convicted of a crime, they will most likely face a fine, go to prison for a specific time (depending on the type of crime), and get put on probation or other penalties. But, the moment an immigrant (non-citizen) commits the same crime as an American citizen, their future in the country is in jeopardy. An expert crimmigration lawyer can help you with your criminal charges while protecting your future in the U.S. Immigration authorities will do everything possible to deport you from the country. Castan & Lecca will fight to keep you here.  If you are a non-citizen in the United States and you are arrested for a crime, these are some of the consequences:
  • Deportation or removal proceedings
  • Inability to obtain legal residency in the United States
  • No bringing family members into the country
  • Ineligibility to renew your green card or residence card
  • Reduced chances of obtaining a work visa
Being charged with a crime doesn’t necessarily mean you will be deported, but it does impact your legal status. If you have a criminal record, you may not be able to apply for permanent residence, green cards, citizenship, or other immigration benefits. If you are denied immigration benefits, contact a crimmigration lawyer in Atlanta.

Criminal Charges: A Danger To Your Immigration Status

In the past, minor, non-violent criminal charges didn’t have as large an impact on legal status. Today, everything has changed. ICE and other United States government agencies changed the inadmissibility of non-citizens. Having a criminal record can negatively affect your immigration status and prevent you from staying in the United States. It could be considered inadmissible and deportable.

Inadmissibility

If immigration authorities consider you inadmissible to the United States, it means that you can’t enter the country legally. This could make you ineligible for a green card or adjustment of status from within the United States.  Admission to the U.S. is never promised. If you have committed a crime, are the holder of a green card, and want to re-enter the country after leaving, you may not be permitted to.

Deportation or Removal

If you are convicted of a crime in the U.S, you could be at risk for deportation or “removal.” This term applies to people who have a legal immigration status and are not doing anything to apply for a new status. If you are undocumented or a non-citizen in the United States and have committed a serious crime, you could be at risk of being deported or removed. If you are a naturalized citizen, you could lose your legal status, and if you are out of the country, you will not be able to return for several years after your criminal charge.

Criminal Offenses Leading to Deportation

To be eligible for deportation, authorities must show that you do not meet the “good moral character” requirement. Here are some felonies and misdemeanors that can make you deportable and lose your legal status in the United States:

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With the help of an experienced crimmigration attorney, you can fight to reverse your situation. We can reopen your case, review the charges, and keep you in the country. If you are a non-citizen and find yourself facing criminal charges, don’t waste any more time. Call Castan & Lecca.  If you were arrested for a crime, don’t put your immigration status at risk. At Castan & Lecca, we work to obtain the best result for your case. We are exceptional attorneys, and we deliver superior results. Our team of attorneys has a successful track record and proven strategies to help you in your case. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to make sure you are taking the proper steps. Call Castan & Lecca today for a free consultation.
(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
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KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
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ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.