Tooby's California Post-Conviction Relief for Immigrants

Since so many offenses can be classified as crimes involving moral turpitude, many noncitizens risk inadmissibility even on account of minor convictions.  Coming within the Petty Offense Exception to inadmissibility for one moral turpitude conviction is one way to avoid this.  The Petty Offense Exception excuses inadmissibility, but not deportability,[15] on account of a conviction of, or admission of committing, one crime of moral turpitude.  It does not excuse any other ground of inadmissibility, such as a drug conviction.[16] 

[15] Compare INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II), with INA § 237(a)(2)(A)(i), 8 U.S.C. 1227(a)(2)(A)(i).

[16] See Matter of GA, 7 I. & N. Dec. 274 (BIA 1956).