Infraction and Citizenship Application
Hi, we live in CA. My girlfriend was caught shoplifting merchandise of just below $25 at a CA department store last night. No police was called, she was told to stay out of the store chain for 1 year and that she would receive something in the mail about a fine. Unfortunately she is in the middle of her naturalization application - her citizenship interview is 4 weeks from now. Her record is clean except she had a speeding ticket (nothing serious) and a red-light infraction during the past 5 years. She's had a green card for more than 15 years. Will this be a problem for her application for citizenship? Should she be mentioning this during her interview? It was not mentioned on the application (because that was filed 2 months ago). What would be the consequences of mentioning or not mentioning this during the interview? Please help! Thank you.
Re: Infraction and Citizenship Application
In terms of the shoplifting incident, from what you say there is no police record, no court record, and no arrest, prosecution or conviction. It should not have any bearing on her application, and she does not have to report that somebody may have suspected her of shoplifting but chose not to prosecute.
Re: Infraction and Citizenship Application
Thank you so much for the quick response. I forgot to mention that she was told that this shoplifting incident would now show on her "background check" for 2 years, e.g. when she would apply for a job. That's not a concern too much, we're just really concerned about the citizenship application / interview. What background check are they talking about and is it still ok for the citizenship w/o mentioning? I'm totally unfamiliar with this procecution / court stuff. Could there still be something coming? Again, no police was called, but she surrendered the items taken, she was asked for ID, SS# and address/phone, a photo was taken, she was told to stay out of the chain for a year or she could be arrested and that she would get information in the mail about the fine. Thanks again.
Re: Infraction and Citizenship Application
You would have to ask them what background check they are talking about. If she signed a confession to shoplifting, it is possible that they placed her name in a private database of known shoplifters.