Shoplifting or theft, even if for a very small amount, is taken very seriously in the immigration realm. Because such a crime has an element of intent to steal or defraud, it is considered what we call in the Immigration Law, a ‘crime involving moral turpitude’, which often brings about serious immigration consequences.
Under the immigration law, an alien is deportable if: the alien is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude committed within five years (or 10 years in the case of an alien provided lawful permanent resident status) after the date of admission, and the alien is convicted of a crime for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed.
If the maximum period of incarceration possible for this offense is less than one year, which is usually the case for minor shoplifting convictions, this should have no application. However, some States treat more serious theft offenses or burglary offense as aggravated felony for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year. In such cases, of course, deportation grounds can apply to the violator.
Where were you charged at and convicted to shoplifting? In US or outside the US? If in US then which state? How much thing was worth in money that you shoplifted? Normally a shoflifting crime falls under patty offence..and considers a misdemeanor if it's under $300, BUT if the amount of item shoflifted was worth more than $300 then it could become a grand larceny...and a felony...depending upon state laws wherein crime was committed.
Shoplifting is also a CIMT (crime involving moral turpitude) and a deportable offense. Conviction on crimes involving moral turpitude may trigger deportation if you have any other CIMT on your record. This immigration law term of-art could include crimes in many different offense categories, e.g., crimes in which either intent to steal or defraud is an element (such as theft and forgery offenses). You can find this information in the link that has been provided underneath. So, it could be possible that you will be placed on a removal proceedings very soon if there is more into your case/background/convictions.
You have to also understand that the changes in immigration laws in 1996 included definition of fifty more classes of crime, some of which are neither “aggravated” nor a “felony” by criminal law standards (e.g. shoplifting); also almost any crime for which you served at least 1 year in prison. You can see this information as such and clear on this link-
http://www.nysda.org/idp/docs/Deportation101-Curriculum.pdf
http://www.amnestylawusa.com/PracticeAreas/Deportable-Criminal-Offenses.asp
http://www.shopliftingprevention.org/main.asp