How might Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s career as a major leaguer be affected by Thursday’s guilty verdict on a charge of sexually abusing a juvenile in the Dominican Republic?
What possible effects would the conviction have on his eligibility to enter the US again?
According to immigration lawyer Danielle Hernandez, a conviction involving a minor is a significant problem under immigration law. According to her, Franco, who inked an 11-year contract worth $182 million with the Rays in November 2021, has little chance of obtaining a new visa to enter the country.
Hernandez stated, “I don’t believe he would comply with his visa status.” Such a crime against a child would be classified as a crime involving moral turpitude, or CIMT, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection would need to be aware of it. His green card may be revoked, and it will be a violation if he holds a non-immigrant visa.
In December 2022, Franco started seeing a girl who was 14 years old at the time. He was twenty-one. Franco, who is currently 24 years old, was found guilty by a three-judge court and given a two-year suspended sentence.
Even an acquittal on appeal might not be sufficient to return Franco to the United States, according to Lisette Sanchez, an immigration lawyer in Tampa. She believes that unless it is officially overturned, his current conviction still makes him ineligible.
Stricter immigration enforcement during the second Trump administration, which has led to more deportations and restrictions on all forms of licenses and visas, has further lowered hopes of a return.
Sanchez stated that he might only be able to apply for a new visa if the conviction was miraculously purged or overturned by the appellate court. With a conviction in place, however, it is currently very difficult for him to gain lawful entrance.
Five days following the official issuance of the sentence on July 27, Franco’s lawyers have the option to appeal to a higher court.
Outside the courtroom on Thursday, Franco’s attorney, Irina Ventura, told Dominican media outlets that justice had not been done because the defense had anticipated Franco would be fully acquitted.
Franco was given a five-year prison sentence by the prosecution, while the girl’s mother, who was found guilty of sexually trafficking her daughter, was given a ten-year sentence, which she will serve in full.
According to Ventura, you witnessed the hearings and noticed that the ruling ignored the most contentious and important aspects of Wander’s case. To assess the reasons for the appeal, we must wait for the written decision.
A guilty conviction in Franco’s case would cancel any existing visa and prevent him from acquiring any future permits, including the P-1 athlete visa, which is frequently utilized by elite athletes who were born outside of the country, according to immigration lawyer J. Tony Lopez. Lopez stated that Franco’s return to the United States would not be assured even if the court decision during an appeal was favorable because the chances of being permitted to return may be extremely slim.
There is a slim but possible chance that he could be given a visa if he is found not guilty [during an appeal), Lopez added. Beyond that, though, he continues to face challenges with Major League Baseball.
