Shoplifting and Citizenship
hi,something bad happened to me last year which was so stupid,it was not an intention but a mistake.i was arrested for shoplifting and got bondend out.the amount was for 150.i got a lawyer and the distict attorney reached a deal for me to do community service and theft class so my case be dismiss because i had no record prior.the problem now is that am due to file for citizenship.i am so so scared and do not know what to do.i heard something about petty exception here in dallas tx.i need help please,anyone that can help me
Re: Shoplifting and Citizenship
If you entered a guilty plea or stated on the record that you were guilty, then the USCIS will treat you as convicted. Even if not, you need to be honest in all of your communication about this incident with the USCIS. If this was an isolated incident, even if the USCIS regards it as a conviction, I expect that it will be classified under the petty offense exception.
There are dozens of threads in this forum addressing this very question.