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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    2

    Default Applying for Citizenship with Criminal Record

    I have been in the U.S. for about 22 years now, came here when I was 7. Currently my Green Card has expired. I was thinking to Apply for citizenship but I am not sure if I will have issues with my record. In 2010 I was charged with Attempt to evade pursuing peace officer with a Misdemeanor (which was reduced to a red light violation infraction). Then in 2013 I was charged with Felony Evade Police Officer - Driving in Reckless Manner and Reckless Driving. The court results were the reckless driving was dropped, and evading police officer was dropped to a misdemeanor and I was sentenced to 30 Days Sheriffs work project and 3 years informal probation. The 3 year probation has passed. Would these charges cause any issues if I file my paper work? When I was charged in 2013 an immigration lawyer told me that I should not apply for citizenship until the probation expires then I wouldn't have any problems.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Applying for Citizenship with Criminal Record

    You have an immigration attorney, but you are asking an internet bulletin board?

    Anyhow, I'm presuming that since you've been here 22 years, you don't have conditional residence. Unless you need a green card (say to travel out of US), you don't need to renew it prior to applying for naturalization. With multiple similar crimes including a felony, you're going to have some 'spainin' to do no matter when you apply for your naturalization. While these crimes are not absolute bars to naturalization like some others, the general advice is you wait out the period of residency required (five years typically, unless you're married to a US citizen) after your conviction (not just the end of your probation period), but again, the attorney can see details of your potential application that we can not.

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