My Nanny is finalizing her application for naturalization here in Texas and received the following:

"Section 237(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act states: 'Any alien who at any time after admission is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude, not arising out of a single scheme of criminal misconduct, regardless of whether confined therefore and regardless of whether the convictions were in a single tiral, is deportable.'

In order to further process your Application for Naturalization, you must provide evidence of your complete reformation of character. You are therefore being asked to submit notarized letters demonstrating that since your 2001 theft conviction you have reformed your character."

As I recall she was convicted of two shoplifting crimes and actually served time in the Harris County jail (Houston). She did not hire an attorney at that time nor does she have one now! We were aware of her convictions when we hired her and believe she is reformed and want to provide a letter.

So my questions are:

1) Has anyone provided successful letter's of reformation and any advice with regards to content? It sounds to me like the decision is soley the discretion of the INS agent to accept the reformation buts its not clear who they should be from nor the content except I understand the agent orally said no more than two relatives and something about resumes (i.e. its not in the law).

2) This might be a silly question on this forum, but whats her chances with/without representaion by an attorney at this point? She has passed the test etc, they only want letters of reformation.

3) Got any other advice?

Thank you in advance.