Combes, TX Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

The acts by themselves (speeding and public intoxication) are not deportable offenses, but you've done yourself no favors by not settling them. The current trend in the country for police authorities is moving towards leniency in deciding whether to contact ICE when persons who are not legal have minor incidents with the law. Even where ICE is contacted, it may exercise prosecutorial discretion in whether to detain or not. That being said, no one can guarantee you that you will not be detained by ICE if you turn yourself in on your outstanding warrants. But if you decide to do so, you might consider hiring or at least consulting with a local criminal lawyer who is aware of the practices of the authorities in your area. Also even if detained, you are still entitled to a hearing before the immigration court at which time you can bring up any and all defenses against removal that you have. Further if you have good equities, ICE may decide to exercise prosecutorial discretion and decline further action to remove you from the country.Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.  

It will depend on the circumstances of your particular case, but you have to be continuously residing in the US from January 1, 2010 up to the time that you file your application. However, the procedures for applying under the new rules will not come into effect until about 6 months from now.

Your question requires an attorney consultation. It is not a simple question that can be answered on this type of forum. There are many factors that would need to be considered and evaluated. I strongly suggest that you contact an experienced immigration attorney for a face-to-face consultation and give him/her all of the facts surrounding your situation. He/she would then be in a better position to analyze your case and advise you of your options.