If you’ve been charged with a criminal immigration offense, such as illegal reentry, harboring undocumented individuals, visa fraud, or identity theft, your future could be on the line. These are not just immigration matters; they are serious federal crimes with life-altering consequences. To protect your rights and your future, you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney with the skill to defend you in U.S. District Court.

In this blog post, I will explain federal criminal offenses related to immigration, how Florida’s heightened immigration enforcement affects those suspected of committing crimes, and how an experienced federal immigration defense attorney can help you if you are accused of committing an immigration offense.

Criminal Immigration Charges Are Federal Crimes

With heightened federal enforcement initiatives and policies, many immigration violations now result in criminal prosecution—not just civil deportation proceedings. Common criminal immigration offenses include:

• Illegal Reentry after Deportation – Illegally reentering the U.S. after you have been deported is a felony under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. The basic maximum penalty for reentry after deportation is a fine, a prison sentence of not more than 2 years, or both. However, if you were removed after being convicted for three or more misdemeanors or a felony, the prison sentence is up to 10 years, and if you were convicted of an aggravated felony, you could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

• Smuggling or Transporting Undocumented Immigrants – 8 U.S.C. § 1324 prohibits bringing or attempting to bring unauthorized aliens to the U.S. even at a designated port of entry. This includes smuggling, transporting unauthorized aliens within the U.S., concealing or protecting unauthorized aliens, encouraging unauthorized aliens to enter the U.S., or helping in any way with any of the preceding unlawful acts. Punishments include a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

• Document Fraud or Identity Theft – 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a) proscribes forging, counterfeiting, altering, or falsely making, using or possessing certain immigration documents; bringing plates or papers into the U.S. to use in printing entry documents; personating another person or appearing under a false name; and giving a false statement under oath in any document required by U.S. immigration laws or regulations. Subsection 1546(b) also makes it a felony offense to use a false identification document, or misuse a real one, for the purpose of satisfying U.S. employment verification requirements.

• Marriage Fraud and Immigration-related Entrepreneurship Fraud – Deceptive actions to obtain immigration benefits can also result in federal charges under 8 U.S. Code § 1325. An individual who gets married to evade any provision of U.S. immigration laws will face a prison sentence of not more than 5 years, or be fined not more than $250,000, or both. Any individual who establishes a commercial enterprise to evade any provision of U.S. immigration laws will be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined, or both.

• Employing Unauthorized Aliens –  8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(A)  makes it illegal for any person or entity to hire, recruit, or refer for a fee, for employment in the U.S. any alien known to be unauthorized. It is also illegal for any person or entity that has hired an alien to continue to employ them in the U.S. knowing the alien is or has become an unauthorized alien with respect to such employment. Violations of the law carry penalties of fines or imprisonment or both.

Recently, Florida has become a national leader in aggressive immigration enforcement. Under new state laws, even minor offenses by undocumented individuals can trigger criminal investigations. In particular:

• You can be charged with a felony for transporting or housing undocumented individuals under Florida and federal law.

• Undocumented immigrants who vote or U.S. citizens who help noncitizens vote in Florida can be charged with a felony.

• Adult unauthorized aliens who enter or attempt to enter Florida after entering the United States by eluding or avoiding examination or inspection by immigration officers face criminal penalties and enhanced criminal penalties for second or subsequent convictions.

In addition to passing more stringent laws, Florida has also entered into agreements with federal authorities to enhance cooperation with ICE under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Department of Agricultural Law Enforcement, the Florida State Guard, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be trained and approved by ICE to perform immigration enforcement duties.

In this environment, state and federal immigration crimes are being prosecuted more aggressively than ever. If you have been charged with an immigration-related crime, you need an experienced federal immigration defense attorney to protect your rights and aggressively defend you.

Why You Need a Federal Defense Attorney

When your case involves a criminal immigration offense, you need a defense attorney who knows how to:

• Challenge federal indictments and evidence
• Negotiate with U.S. attorneys for favorable plea deals
• Protect your rights while fighting the criminal case
• Provide aggressive, strategic representation
• Appeal unjust convictions or sentences

This is where Attorney David Haas stands out. With nearly ten years of experience as a federal prosecutor and nearly a decade as a criminal defense attorney, he knows how the federal system works—and how to fight back when your freedom and future are on the line.

If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation, time is critical. Do not speak to ICE or federal agents without an experienced defense attorney present.

Contact Haas Law Immediately

A criminal immigration charge can result in years in prison, followed by permanent removal from the United States. Don’t leave your future in the hands of chance—or inexperience.

Your freedom, your status, and your future depend on what you do next. Let David Haas, an experienced federal defense attorney, stand by your side and fight for your rights.

Call Attorney David Haas at 407-392-9299 or fill out the “Tell Us What Happened” form on our website to schedule a confidential consultation.