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Renewing a Green Card or Petitioning for Naturalization with a Criminal Record

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  • 01-08-2015, 08:34 PM
    nurdex
    Renewing a Green Card or Petitioning for Naturalization with a Criminal Record
    Hi Everyone, i really hope this forum can give me some knowledge because i feel that I'm in such a mess. heres my story:

    I came from Cuba back in 1996 (i was 6 years old) and was granted permanent residency in 8/2004. I'm 24 years old now and I'm in need to renew my green card by 08/2015. The problem is that i got into quite some trouble throughout the years.

    1) 2010 I had a car accident and was charged with cocaine possession and DUI: Cocaine possession charges were dropped before it even went into court and DUI was reduced to Reckless driving. I never did jail time just completed an advocate program. (FL)

    2) 2011 I got pulled over in Dayton, OH and got charged with OVI. (Operating vehicle under the influence): Everything was dismissed/ dropped and i did not have any penalties/fees or programs.

    3) 2012 I got arrested in Detroit, MI with two B&E a Vehicle with Damage (Felony), Burglar tools possession (Felony) ,and fin. transdev.-steal/retain wo/consent (Felony). out of those i ended up pleading guilty to the following : 2 (Misdemeanors) for Receive/ and conceal stolen property ($200 or more but less than 1,000). for this i had to pay a $500 dollar fine but no jail nor program.

    Writing this all out is scary, and depressing but i need advice as what to do. since those events I've gotten my life back together and been dedicated to working and going to school. I will receive my RN license within the next 3 months.

    What should i do? Should i just submit papers to renew green card? should i give it a shot and apply for citizenship? any advice, experiences, similar stories welcome
    I know cant get deported since I'm a cuban refugee but i can still get a deportation status. I'm super scared about all this. The US is the only home i know.

    Thank you so much
  • 01-08-2015, 09:10 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    You need an attorney - desperately.

    You also need to understand that a refugee can indeed be deported - and you have a quite dreadful lack of respect of the US. Without a waiver, your future here is very shaky.

    That aside, here are some things you can read:

    http://www.ilrc.org/files/documents/...d_felonies.pdf

    http://www.masslegalhelp.org/immigra...ng-deportation

    Also, the "lighter" crimes can be considered.

    Finally, because I'm curious, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?
  • 01-09-2015, 03:49 PM
    nurdex
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote:

    Quoting Dogmatique
    View Post
    You need an attorney - desperately.

    You also need to understand that a refugee can indeed be deported - and you have a quite dreadful lack of respect of the US. Without a waiver, your future here is very shaky.

    That aside, here are some things you can read:

    http://www.ilrc.org/files/documents/...d_felonies.pdf

    http://www.masslegalhelp.org/immigra...ng-deportation

    Also, the "lighter" crimes can be considered.

    Finally, because I'm curious, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?


    Thank you for the information. I'm already getting in contact with some attorneys so see my options. In regards to your question, i wish i knew. I was always a role model kid growing up with gifted courses etc. When i turned 20 my head just went elsewhere and i started to hand with the wrong people. ( No excuse, i completely assume responsibility of my actions back then). Hopefully I'm not completely doomed and theres still redemption.
  • 01-09-2015, 04:42 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    I actually do feel some sympathy for you. Why weren't you afforded citizenship?

    Please, get an attorney.
  • 01-09-2015, 05:51 PM
    CourtClerk
    Re: Renewing a Green Card or Petitioning for Naturalization with a Criminal Record
    Screw your green card, I'm wondering if you're spending all this money in school and do you have a snowball's chance in hell of getting your nursing license.
  • 01-09-2015, 06:19 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Renewing a Green Card or Petitioning for Naturalization with a Criminal Record
    That's true.

    Better check the licensing requirements....but it's probably moot. If he can't stay, bye bye nursing.
  • 01-09-2015, 07:09 PM
    llworking
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    Quote:

    Quoting nurdex
    View Post
    - - - Updated - - -




    Thank you for the information. I'm already getting in contact with some attorneys so see my options. In regards to your question, i wish i knew. I was always a role model kid growing up with gifted courses etc. When i turned 20 my head just went elsewhere and i started to hand with the wrong people. ( No excuse, i completely assume responsibility of my actions back then). Hopefully I'm not completely doomed and theres still redemption.

    You absolutely need an immigration attorney...please do not attempt to do anything at all without one. I have no idea whether or not the immigration attorney will be able to help you, but the attorney will be able to tell you for sure where you stand.
  • 01-10-2015, 06:46 AM
    flyingron
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    If he was attending a legitimate school and not lying on his application, they probably wouldn't have allowed him to continue to waste time in the program.
    Of course, there's all the disreputable for profit schools that will be glad to take your student loan money with no promise that the "education" you are getting will be useful to anything (in fact, they're not even banking on you completing it).
  • 01-10-2015, 02:13 PM
    nurdex
    Re: Renewing the Green Card or Naturalization with a Record
    Quote:

    Quoting flyingron
    View Post
    If he was attending a legitimate school and not lying on his application, they probably wouldn't have allowed him to continue to waste time in the program.
    Of course, there's all the disreputable for profit schools that will be glad to take your student loan money with no promise that the "education" you are getting will be useful to anything (in fact, they're not even banking on you completing it).

    Appointment this Monday with immigration attorney to see where i stand in all of this. As far as school goes, i disclosed everything upon initial application to the RN Program. and they also ran a background check. as of December i was approved to take my license exam. but like Dogmatique said, its nothing if i can't stay. and to be honest I've never thought of any other alternatives if this doesn't work out. ill keep you guys updated on what the attorney says. and if theres any information you guys find on this let me know.
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