San Diego Immigration And Deportation Defense Lawyer

When a noncitizen faces criminal charges in California, two separate legal systems respond at the same time. A state court handles the criminal case. Federal immigration authorities respond to the outcome. What happens in one proceeding directly affects the other, and an attorney who handles only one side of that equation leaves the other exposed.

Attorney Matthew Springmeyer built his practice around this intersection. He handles both criminal defense and immigration matters so that when he is negotiating a plea or building a defense in state court, the immigration consequences of every possible outcome are already part of the strategy. For noncitizens living and working in the San Diego area and Chula Vista, that dual focus is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Immigration Services From The Law Office Of Matthew H. Springmeyer

Mr. Springmeyer handles the full range of immigration matters, from removal defense and asylum claims to family petitions and naturalization. Below is an overview of the services we offer to clients in San Diego and Chula Vista.

Deportation and removal defense

If you or a family member has received a Notice to Appear, removal proceedings are already underway. Mr. Springmeyer represents clients before the San Diego Immigration Court and fights removal on every available ground, including cancellation of removal, adjustment of status and voluntary departure where appropriate.

“Crimmigration” defense

A criminal conviction in California can trigger an ICE hold, affect a visa or green card or make a person inadmissible or deportable. Certain offenses classified as Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude or Aggravated Felonies carry especially serious immigration consequences. Mr. Springmeyer evaluates every charge for its immigration exposure and structures criminal defense strategies that account for both the state court outcome and your immigration status.

Asylum claims and temporary protection

If you are fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, you may qualify for asylum or other temporary protection. Mr. Springmeyer has represented asylum clients in California and other states, including Nevada, Washington and New York.

Family petitions and adjustment of status

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for qualifying family members. Mr. Springmeyer guides clients through the petition process, adjustment of status applications and the requirements that apply based on each family member’s immigration category.

Naturalization and citizenship applications

If you have held lawful permanent resident status and meet the continuous residence and physical presence requirements, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization. Mr. Springmeyer reviews eligibility, prepares the application and helps clients prepare for the naturalization interview.

Local San Diego Immigration Courts And Detention Facilities

Mr. Springmeyer represents clients throughout San Diego County and the surrounding region. Several venues are central to his practice:

• The San Diego Immigration Court (EOIR) is where removal proceedings are heard before an immigration judge and where Mr. Springmeyer appears on behalf of clients facing deportation
• Otay Mesa Detention Center, located in San Diego, is one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the country and holds many clients in the area who are in removal proceedings
• Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico holds detainees transferred from San Diego and the surrounding counties

If a family member is detained at any of these facilities, time matters. Mr. Springmeyer can move quickly to request a bond hearing and work toward release while fighting the underlying removal case.

Work With An Immigration Lawyer Who Knows Both Systems

Matthew Springmeyer earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law, graduating magna cum laude, and has practiced immigration and criminal defense law since 2013. He handles cases on both sides of the crimmigration divide: state criminal court and federal immigration proceedings. That means when he is negotiating a plea in criminal court, the immigration consequences of every possible outcome are already factored in. He is fluent in Spanish and has represented clients across California, Nevada, Washington, New York and other states.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Immigration Law

Immigration law intersects with criminal law, family law and federal procedure in ways that can be difficult to predict without experienced counsel. The answers below address the questions Mr. Springmeyer hears most from clients in San Diego and Chula Vista.

Will a DUI or drug charge in California lead to deportation?

It depends on how the case is resolved and what your current immigration status is. Under settled federal immigration law, an ordinary DUI conviction in California is generally not classified as a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude and is not considered an Aggravated Felony. For most lawful noncitizens, a standard first-offense DUI does not automatically trigger removal. Drug-related offenses are a different matter entirely. Even a first conviction for a controlled substance offense can make a person deportable or inadmissible. Undocumented individuals face additional risk because an arrest record can help federal authorities locate them regardless of the charge. Mr. Springmeyer evaluates the immigration exposure of every charge before any plea is entered so the defense strategy accounts for both courts.

What should I do if a family member is held at Otay Mesa Detention Center?

Contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. The first step is typically requesting a bond hearing before an Immigration Judge at the San Diego Immigration Court. At that hearing, an attorney can present evidence that your family member is not a flight risk or a danger to the community and argue for release on bond. Detention does not mean removal is inevitable, but delays in getting representation make the process harder. Mr. Springmeyer handles bond hearings and removal defense for detainees held at Otay Mesa and Imperial Regional.

Can I reapply if my green card application was denied?

Yes. A USCIS denial does not necessarily end your options. In many cases you can file a Motion to Reopen or a Motion to Reconsider, or you can submit a new application after correcting the issues that led to the denial. The right path depends on the reason for the denial and what has changed since the application was submitted. Mr. Springmeyer reviews denial notices, identifies the specific issues and advises clients on the strongest option for moving forward.

Discuss Your Immigration Issue With Mr. Springmeyer Today

Work with one of the trusted immigration law firms in San Diego. Schedule an initial appointment at the Law Office of Matthew H. Springmeyer by calling the firm at 619-780-2716. You can also send an email.