Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

I've been a permanent resident since 1958. I want to become a US citizen, but I have a criminal record that I've had expunged . Is that enough? or do I need to vacate the record, in order to become a citizen ?? Also I am married to an American man for almost 7 years. I'm a tax payer and hard working self-emoployed woman who wants to get licensed through the Dept. of Real Estate, so this is very important to me. Please advise.


Asked on 9/18/09, 4:48 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Daniel Hanlon Hanlon Law Group, P.C.

Dear Inquirer:

Generally, expungements do not alter the existence of a conviction for immigration purposes. Some convictions will not affect your eligibility for naturalization, such as those outside the five-year good moral character period or convictions that do not render a person deportable from the US. In the worst case, i.e. if the conviction would render you deportable or permanently ineligible to citizenship, then a motion to vacate the criminal conviction might become necessary.

I recommend that you visit www.hanlonlawgroup.com or email us at [email protected] if you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss this matter further.

Regards,

Read more
Answered on 9/18/09, 4:54 pm
Charles Medina Law Office of Charles Medina

Expungement might not be sufficient for your citizenship application. We suggest you to consult with an immigration attorney.

You may visit our website at www.medinalawgroup.net or contact us via [email protected]. Thank you.

The above reply is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Web site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Read more
Answered on 9/18/09, 4:54 pm

An expungement may not be okay to make you eligible for citizenship. It depends on many factors, including the what the actual conviction was, when it occurred as related to when you became a legal permanent resident, etc. You should contact an immigration attorney prior to filing for citizenship to assist you in making a determination whether you should file for citizenship. You may contact our office at: [email protected].

Read more
Answered on 9/18/09, 5:52 pm
Michael Cho Law Offices of Michael Cho

It depends upon what the criminal conviction was. Please feel free to contact my office for a free consultation or visit http://www.msclaw.com.

Read more
Answered on 9/21/09, 6:43 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Immigration Law questions and answers in California