It takes a long time to get your green card. The petition, application, biometrics appointment and interview are done, and you are just waiting for a decision.
This is an exciting time for you, so losing your opportunity to live and work in the United States would be tragic.
Not all crimes are equal
Being convicted of a crime may impact your ability to find work, even if you are a United States citizen. However, not all crimes are equal in immigration law. Some offenses are minor and may not affect your application. On the other hand, other ones can lead to serious consequences, including the denial of your application. Some of those offenses include:
- Crimes of moral turpitude are offenses that violate a society’s accepted standards of morality and ethics, such as fraud, assault and domestic violence.
- Aggravated felonies, including murder, drug trafficking, sexual assault and child pornography.
- Anything involving controlled substances, such as meth, heroin and cocaine.
- While one misdemeanor, such as petty theft, likely won’t result in your green card denial, having multiple minor convictions may be seen as a pattern of criminal behavior.
In addition to having your green card application denied, there are other legal consequences, such as the initiation of deportation proceedings and a permanent ban from entering the United States.
When your green card decision is on the line, getting charged with a crime can be alarming. You will want to get all the records, such as the arrest report, court documents and other important paperwork. You will also need to inform the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the situation.
Finding someone who can help you understand your options and advocate on your behalf is also crucial. The right person will fight to protect your interests and work towards a positive outcome.