Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

Re: Misdemeanor and US citizenship

This matter is complex and you should not try to do it yourself so you should get an attorney to discuss your options. If you are located in Southern California, you can email me your contact info, so we can discuss your particular situation. There is no charge for consultation.

Re: Misdemeanor and US citizenship

if you have no other convictions, I cannot see your moral character being an issue with most reasonable immigration officers. I should emphasize the word reasonable, however. once in a while you'll get an unreasonable one who will abuse his or her discretionary authority with respect to this issue. I would hire an attorney.

Regards,

Gabriel

Re: Misdemeanor and US citizenship

Presumably you are a permanent resident already. If that is the case, you are probably fine. You need to establish good moral character over the past five years. Sometimes they can go back beyond the five years. In this case, depending how safe you want to be, you might wait a little bit, though I don't think the subsequent charges would affect you even if within the past five years. The 1988 conviction doesn't hurt you anymore, particularly if you were under 18 at the time.

I would be happy to help you out if you contact me offline. Check me out at http://www.yardum-hunter.com, fill out a consultation request there at http://www.yardum-hunter.com/Main/Consultation.asp or email me at [email protected].

Alice M. Yardum-Hunter, Attorney at Law, Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of CA, Bd. of Legal Specialization

ST: 15915 Ventura Blvd., Penthouse #1, Encino, CA 91436

EM: [email protected] WEB: http://www.yardum-hunter.com

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Re: Misdemeanor and US citizenship

Good moral character is one of the requirements for applying citizenship. USCIS officer has discretion to deny your case even your conviction is beyond 5 years period.

Please contact our office for further discussion or email me at [email protected].

Note: The above response is provided for information only and should not be construed as legal advice, nor to create an attorney-client relationship, which can only be established through payment of consideration.

Re: Misdemeanor and US citizenship

Dera Inquirer:

Generally, you must show that you have been a person of good moral character for 5 years in order to qualify for naturalization. If you have only one conviction for a "petty offense" 20 years ago, this should not affect your eligibility for naturalization at present.

Please email as at [email protected] or visit www.hanlonlawgroup.com if you would like to discuss this matter further in consultation.