Legal Question in Immigration Law in South Carolina

Can I be denied Naturalization because of 3 DUIs?

I have been a Permanent Resident Alien in the US since 1972 and want to apply for citizenship/naturalization. I have had 3 DUIs from 1990 until 1999, for which I have satisfied all conditions (counseling, probation, loss of driving privileges, jail); will my application result in a denial by the INS or in deportation?


Asked on 2/06/03, 11:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carolyn Goldfarb Carolyn S. Goldfarb, Esq.

Re: Can I be denied Naturalization because of 3 DUIs?

Your naturalization application can be denied. In my opinion, in this climate, you should wait until you have accumulated 5 years of good moral characater since the last DUI conviction before applying. That would mean sometime in 2004, at the very least. You should also consult a local immigration attorney before your apply to make sure that none of the DUI's are aggravated felonies under the immmigraiton law. If they are you could find yourself detained and placed in removal proceedings at the naturalization interview.

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Answered on 2/06/03, 1:11 pm


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