Serving Dearborn's immigrant communities
Dearborn has one of the largest Arab American populations in the United States and a growing Latino community in surrounding Wayne County. Many of our clients are first- or second-generation immigrants — green card holders, citizens of Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Mexico, and elsewhere — who face criminal charges in 19th District Court and don't know that the criminal case is also an immigration case.
We are not a Dearborn-based firm — our office is in Southfield, fifteen minutes north — but we appear in 19th District Court regularly and we know the prosecutors, the judges, and the dispositions that work for immigration purposes.
What's at stake for Dearborn noncitizens
- Green card holders — a deportable conviction can mean removal even after 20+ years in the U.S., loss of family in Dearborn, and a permanent bar to returning.
- Visa holders (student, work, tourist) — almost any conviction can result in visa revocation and inability to return after travel.
- DACA recipients — certain misdemeanors and any felony will disqualify someone from DACA renewal.
- Undocumented residents — a criminal arrest in Dearborn is the most common path to ICE attention. The criminal disposition affects every future immigration option.
- Asylum seekers — pending asylum cases are extremely sensitive to criminal charges, particularly anything classified as a "particularly serious crime."
Common Dearborn cases we handle
- Domestic violence misdemeanors (deportable for noncitizens under INA § 237(a)(2)(E)).
- Retail fraud / shoplifting charges (potential crime of moral turpitude).
- Marijuana cases — including possession that's legal under Michigan law but federally classified.
- OWI and OWI with a child present.
- Assault and battery, aggravated assault.
- Driving on a suspended license — typically not deportable but can affect status decisions.
- Post-conviction relief for older Dearborn convictions blocking naturalization or green card renewal.
How we work with Dearborn clients
- Same-day or next-business-day consultation in person at our Southfield office or by phone.
- Arabic or Spanish interpreter available when scheduled in advance.
- Immigration consequences memo before any plea negotiation begins.
- Family communication in the language they prefer — we know that for many Dearborn families, the criminal case affects multiple generations.
- Coordination with immigration counsel if the client already has a separate immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
I live in Dearborn and got charged in 19th District Court — can I get deported?
Possibly, depending on the charge. The 19th District Court in Dearborn handles misdemeanors and preliminary felony matters. Some misdemeanors — domestic violence, certain assault charges, controlled substance offenses, and others — are deportable under federal immigration law regardless of how Michigan classifies them. Before any plea, get an immigration-consequences review. We handle 19th District cases regularly.
Do you speak Arabic?
Attorney Fahd Haque does not speak Arabic, but we work with professional Arabic interpreters for consultations and court hearings, and many clients from Dearborn's Arab American community have been served by the firm. Se Habla Español — we also represent Spanish-speaking clients throughout Southeast Michigan. We schedule extra time for interpreted consultations to ensure clients fully understand their options.
My family has been in Dearborn for years — does that protect me from deportation?
Long residence in the United States does not by itself prevent deportation, but it can support certain forms of relief — cancellation of removal for LPRs requires 7 years residence and 5 years as an LPR; cancellation for non-LPRs requires 10 years continuous physical presence plus other factors. The criminal charge can disqualify someone from these forms of relief, which is why the criminal disposition has to be structured carefully.
Can I be deported for a Dearborn OWI?
A single OWI is generally not deportable on its own, but: (1) multiple OWIs can be deportable as crimes involving moral turpitude in some circuits, (2) OWI with a child present can be charged under child endangerment statutes that are deportable, (3) OWI causing injury can be a crime of violence depending on the statute, and (4) OWI affects naturalization good moral character determinations. LPRs and visa holders should not assume a single OWI is safe.
How fast can you meet with me?
We do same-day or next-business-day consultations for noncitizen criminal cases. If you're in custody or have a bond hearing approaching, call immediately. The line is 248-996-9954.
Don't take a plea before talking to us
If you're a Dearborn-area noncitizen facing criminal charges, the disposition matters more than the sentence. Free consultation. Bilingual support. Call 248-996-9954.
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