F1 Visa and ACD

My sister is an international student in New York on an F1 visa.
She was recently caught shoplifting ($20+) at american apparel and has been issued an ACD. will this in any way affect her visa status or hamper her chances at applying for OPT? if application forms require her to state whether she's ever been arrested, can she say "no" she completes her probation and records are sealed?

State: New York

If it was just misdemeanor shoplifting (e.g., a 90-day offense), it probably won't affect her. It will probably be treated as falling under the petty offense exception to crimes involving moral turpitude.

If she lies, though, such as by falsely claiming that the incident didn't happen or (if in fact she was arrested) that she has never been arrested, all bets are off. If she gets caught lying, she can be expected to have to pack her bags and go home.

Quote:

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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If it was just misdemeanor shoplifting (e.g., a 90-day offense), it probably won't affect her. It will probably be treated as falling under the petty offense exception to crimes involving moral turpitude.

If she lies, though, such as by falsely claiming that the incident didn't happen or (if in fact she was arrested) that she has never been arrested, all bets are off. If she gets caught lying, she can be expected to have to pack her bags and go home.

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Hi, could you clarify what a 90-day offense means? She was told that if she stayed out of police contact for a certain period (about a year) her records will be sealed-- and that would entitle her to say 'no' when asked if she's ever been arrested before. Is that inaccurate? Does it apply only to employment forms and not immigration issues? The police officer repeatedly told her that she had not signed any forms that had constituted an admission of guilt; she is now awaiting a court hearing.