Permanent Residency Renewal with a Criminal Record
Hey guys,
So my permanent residency is going to expire in 8/2015 [In 6months]. I just applied for a Renewal online but I'm uneasy because i have a criminal record. I was charged and convicted to 2 counts of Receive and conceal stolen property (more than 200 but less than 1,000) [Misdemeanors] back in 2012. What should i expect? i spoke to an immigration attorney and she said that they will give me my New Residency card but that the application might trigger a deportation status. Any one has gone through this? should i be doing something while the application is in process? any tips? advise? Any info will help! Thank you guys.
A little info of me:
Original country of citizenship: CUBA
Resident since 2004
came to us when i was 6 years old and I'm currently 24.
Both parents are US citizens since 2012
Re: Residency Renewal with a Criminal Record
Background.
Your lawyer is correct. You have not shown good moral conduct, and that could inspire the USCIS to decide that you're no longer welcome in the U.S. For now, that would likely mean being released under an order of supervision, but if relations to Cuba continue to normalize you could conceivably be sent back.
It's difficult to predict how the issue of the thousands of Cuban nationals (one estimate is 34,500), presently subject to deportation due to criminal activity but who remain present on orders of supervision, would be treated -- one faction will be calling for their immediate deportation, while another faction will be arguing that it would be unfair to deport people who have lived law-abiding lives in the U.S. since a brush with the law that perhaps occurred decades ago. The dust will eventually settle, one way or another. My suspicion is that the U.S. will implement some sort of review process, both because of the likely political backlash from Florida's Cuban community and because Cuba is not well-positioned to absorb that many people over a short period of time.
Re: Residency Renewal with a Criminal Record
Thanks for the info, any chance you know the types of crimes that will trigger the deportation? i read that there is a list but i haven't been able to find it.
ps- immigration attorney wanted to charge 2,000.00 to investigate if it will or not trigger the deportation. I figured i rather save that and be prepared if my applications triggers the deportation.
Re: Permanent Residency Renewal with a Criminal Record
Were the potential jail sentences 1 year or greater? That would be the determining factor. If you are denied based on moral turpitude, a deportation order would be issued, you would likely be incarcerated pending a hearing, then the judge would release you without a green card or work privileges and you would basically be a man without a country or the right to work.