Offense
Fraudulently obtain money, credit, etc.
Aggravated Felony (AF)
Yes, AF if more than $10k. See PC 487, 470.
Try to get 364 or less, but see Advice if 1 yr or more was imposed
Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)
Yes, CIMT because fraudulent intent.
Consider 529(a)(3), 530.5(a)
Other Removal Grounds
No other removal ground.
Advice and Comments
PC 532(a)
AF and 1 year. Forgery, counterfeiting, theft with 1 yr or more imposed is an AF. These are not elements of 532(a), so no 532(a) conviction should be held an AF based on a 1-yr sentence. But best practice is to try to keep such conduct out of the ROC and/or get 364 days or less on any single count, to further protect defendant. See § N.4 Sentence.
LRA Mandatory Detention: If D was not admitted to the U.S., a conviction or pending charge for this offense would presumably trigger mandatory detention without bond under LRA, as this offense likely amounts to a theft by fraud. See further discussion at Overview: Mandatory Detention. Try 530.5 as long as loss is under $10k. (Note that people not admitted to U.S. also are subject to MD if they are inadmissible for crimes, and people admitted to the U.S. are subject to MD if they are deportable for certain crimes. See advice on Mandatory Detention.)
SB54: This felony conviction permits law enforcement cooperation with ICE for 15 years. This misdemeanor wobbler permits law enforcement cooperation for 5 years, unless the loss is under $950 and thus a straight misdemeanor, which does not permit transfer to ICE. See SB 54 advisory at www.ilrc.org/crimes-summaries.