We were referred by Lauren Seferian at Benesch Law in Chicago in June 2026 to assist one of their clients, a UK citizen who had been convicted of criminal sexual offences whilst residing in the US which had resulted in a custodial sentence. Following completion of his sentence, the client was detained by Immigration Enforcement Authorities in the US and threatened with deportation back to the UK. Facing forced repatriation to the UK, the client wanted advice in relation to any restrictions on his liberty that he faced in the UK by virtue of his conviction.
Following a remote conference with the client from his prison cell in US, we were able to provide a detailed written advice to the client setting out the applicable criminal law on sexual offences in the UK and the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; their application to relevant offenders and offences committed outside of the UK. The client was given practical advice as to the application of the requirements to his particular circumstances and their application on his arrival into the UK, as well as advising on the likelihood of more onerous orders being sought by the UK authorities. We were also able to engage Grace MacGill in the immigration department, who was able to assist the client with his re-entry into the UK.
Further assistance was provided when the client was interviewed by officers of the Metropolitan police once had successfully entered the UK. The instruction was time restrictive, with only a matter of days between being instructed and the client being physically returned to the UK.
