"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
There problem with the 1996 law and who is considered convicted. Someone may commit a misdemeanor, but, depending on the crime, the 1996 law can interpret that misdemeanor as an aggravated felony. Secondly, a foreigner may be arrested and charged, but then the charges are dropped or the case is dismissed can still be considered convicted by immigration. All it takes is a vindictive spouse to claim domestic violence and unless the alleged perpetrator is acquitted, the foreigner is at risk for deportation.
In other words, somone who is convicted in criminal court can still be found to be convicted by immigration. That is an example of a broken immigration law.