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Aggravated Felony Deep Dives

Murder as an Aggravated Felony

How a murder conviction fits INA §101(a)(43)(A), including categorical analysis, homicide statutes broader than generic murder, and removal consequences.

Reviewed by Peter Messersmith September 17, 2026
Direct Answer

INA §101(a)(43)(A) expressly lists murder as an aggravated felony. The analysis should compare the elements of the statute of conviction with the generic aggravated-felony concept rather than rely only on the offense label. A homicide statute that covers conduct outside generic murder can require divisibility analysis.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony

How a murder conviction fits INA §101(a)(43)(A), including categorical analysis, homicide statutes broader than generic murder, and removal consequences.

murder-AF analysis treats murder aggravated felony immigration as a distinct §101(a)(43) category with its own elements, thresholds, and proof rules.

murder-AF preparation should begin with the statute of conviction, certified record, sentence, and the exact aggravated-felony subparagraph charged by DHS.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 1

INA §101(a)(43)(A) expressly lists murder as an aggravated felony. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph.

murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory.

murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-1; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 2

The analysis should compare the elements of the statute of conviction with the generic aggravated-felony concept rather than rely only on the offense label. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard.

murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives.

murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-2; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 3

A homicide statute that covers conduct outside generic murder can require divisibility analysis. murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove.

murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted.

murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-3; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 4

No one-year sentence threshold appears in the murder clause itself. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense.

murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence.

murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-4; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 5

A qualifying conviction can trigger deportability under INA §237(a)(2)(A)(iii) and major relief consequences. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately.

murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled.

murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-5; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 6

INA §101(a)(43)(A) expressly lists murder as an aggravated felony. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory.

murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code.

murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-6; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 7

The analysis should compare the elements of the statute of conviction with the generic aggravated-felony concept rather than rely only on the offense label. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives.

murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records.

murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-7; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 8

A homicide statute that covers conduct outside generic murder can require divisibility analysis. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted.

murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement.

murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-8; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 9

No one-year sentence threshold appears in the murder clause itself. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence.

murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF circumstance-specific review should consider aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF nonelement facts should be used only when controlling law permits that mode of proof. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis.

murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-9; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged.

Murder as an Aggravated Felony: Issue 10

A qualifying conviction can trigger deportability under INA §237(a)(2)(A)(iii) and major relief consequences. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF analysis should begin with aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF proof should identify the exact statute of conviction and the aggravated-felony subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled.

murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF preservation should record aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF the respondent should obtain an explicit ruling on the aggravated-felony theory. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph.

murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF federal-comparator review should verify aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF statutory cross-references should be checked against the current and historically relevant code. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-issue-10; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated.

Conviction Record Map: Murder as an Aggravated Felony

murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis.

murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence.

murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense. murder-AF charging analysis should frame aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF DHS must connect the conviction to the precise aggravated-felony clause alleged. murder-AF state-law comparison should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF a state label alone should not substitute for element-by-element analysis. murder-AF decision drafting should resolve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the order should identify the conviction, statutory match, threshold fact, and resulting immigration consequence. murder-AF categorical review should test aggravated-felony-murder-practice-11; murder-AF the minimum criminalized conduct should be compared with the generic or incorporated federal offense.

Categorical Analysis Plan: Murder as an Aggravated Felony

murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives.

murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard.

murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession. murder-AF factual audit should revisit aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF assumptions about sentence or monetary amount should be replaced with reliable records. murder-AF divisibility review should examine aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF the record of conviction should be used only when the statute contains legally distinct alternatives. murder-AF burden review should address aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF deportability must be established under the governing clear-and-convincing standard. murder-AF source review should confirm aggravated-felony-murder-practice-12; murder-AF current Supreme Court, BIA, statutory, and circuit authority should be checked before concession.

Removal and Relief Consequences: Murder as an Aggravated Felony

murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated.

murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph.

murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled. murder-AF relief screening should follow aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF aggravated-felony consequences for cancellation, asylum, withholding, and waivers should be analyzed separately. murder-AF motion practice should develop aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF overbreadth, indivisibility, sentence, and circumstance-specific arguments should be separated. murder-AF closing argument should synthesize aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF the requested finding should be stated under the correct §101(a)(43) subparagraph. murder-AF record analysis should document aggravated-felony-murder-practice-13; murder-AF charging papers, plea documents, judgment, and sentencing records should be reconciled.

Appeal Preservation: Murder as an Aggravated Felony

murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement.

murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted.

murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove. murder-AF appellate preparation should preserve aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF the record should permit legal review without reconstructing missing conviction documents. murder-AF sentence review should evaluate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF any imprisonment threshold must be treated as a separate statutory requirement. murder-AF chronology should isolate aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF offense date, conviction date, sentence, admission history, and removal charge should be charted. murder-AF hearing preparation should support aggravated-felony-murder-practice-14; murder-AF certified conviction records should be paired with the specific legal proposition they prove.

Primary Legal Authorities and Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main rule for murder aggravated felony immigration?
INA §101(a)(43)(A) expressly lists murder as an aggravated felony.
Does every conviction labeled this way qualify as murder aggravated felony immigration?
murder-AF analysis ordinarily requires a legal comparison between the statute of conviction and the controlling aggravated-felony definition; the offense label alone is not enough.
Does sentence length matter for murder aggravated felony immigration?
murder-AF sentence analysis depends on the exact subparagraph. Some aggravated-felony categories have an explicit imprisonment threshold while others do not.
What conviction records matter for murder aggravated felony immigration?
murder-AF proof can include the judgment, charging instrument, plea agreement, plea colloquy, verdict form, sentencing record, and other documents permitted by the applicable categorical or circumstance-specific framework.
What immigration consequences follow from murder aggravated felony immigration?
murder-AF consequences can include deportability under INA §237(a)(2)(A)(iii) and restrictions on cancellation, asylum, voluntary departure, waivers, and withholding depending on the full case.
How should murder aggravated felony immigration be preserved for appeal?
murder-AF preservation should identify the exact §101(a)(43) theory, the categorical or circumstance-specific methodology, all threshold facts, the conviction record, and the Immigration Judge's ruling.
Case Evaluation

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