What crimes prevent you from citizenship?

USCIS's definition of aggravated felony includes many crimes that you would expect; such as rape, sexual abuse of a minor, drug trafficking, firearm trafficking, racketeering, running a prostitution business, child pornography, and fraud of $10,000 or more.

Can you get U.S. citizenship if you have criminal record?

You will be permanently barred from obtaining U.S. citizenship if you have been convicted of murder or of an aggravated felony if the conviction was issued on or after November 29, 1990.

Can you still get citizenship with a misdemeanor?

For example, many people believe that if a crime is "just a misdemeanor," it won't affect the person's immigration status. But a crime that's called a misdemeanor in one state might be classified as a felony or even an aggravated felony under the federal immigration laws, or perhaps as a crime of moral turpitude.

What is the background check for citizenship?

Part of applying for U.S. citizenship involves going through a criminal background check. USCIS will need to get the fingerprints of a foreign national and send them to the FBI and other government agencies to check for records matching the fingerprints.

Will domestic violence affect citizenship?

A conviction for a crime of domestic violence or related offense can subject a non-U.S. citizen to deportation (removal). In some cases, it can also make an immigrant inadmissible for re-entry to the United States and ineligible for U.S. citizenship or a green card.

FAQ Naturalization

What can affect my citizenship application?

Can a felon give you citizenship?

Under U.S. immigration law, being convicted of an “aggravated felony” will make you ineligible to receive a green card. While “aggravated felony” sounds like a very serious crime, the term is slightly misleading.

What crimes prevent you from getting a green card?

Under U.S. immigration law, three types of criminal convictions make you “inadmissible.” This means if you have a conviction for any of these three types of crimes, you can't get a green card: Aggravated felonies. Illegal drug involvement. Crimes involving moral turpitude.

Does criminal record affect immigration?

A criminal record can have a disastrous impact on a foreign national's ability to gain future entry into the U.S., including on an immigrant visa (otherwise known as lawful permanent residence or a green card). For applicants who have committed serious crimes, obtaining a green card will likely be impossible.

Does misdemeanor affect green card?

What Can Misdemeanors Affect? Misdemeanors can effect your visa eligibility or green card. This is because some misdemeanors may involve crimes of moral turpitude (CMT). CMTs involve fraud, violence, or moral depravity.

What are crimes of moral turpitude?

A "crime of moral turpitude" (CMT) is basically one that was done recklessly or with evil intent, and which shocks the public conscience as inherently base, vile, or depraved, contrary to the rules of morality and the duties owed between people or to society in general.

Can a DUI prevent you from getting citizenship?

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is by far the most prevalent crime throughout America. In general, a DUI conviction does not automatically bar an applicant from acquiring U.S. citizenship. However, it is possible for the USCIS officer to deny the application on the basis of lack of good moral character.

Can USCIS read your text messages?

It doesn't. The best strategy is simply to assume that anything you post online will be seen and examined by immigration authorities. Some immigration attorneys may even recommend that you refrain from social media use entirely while your visa or green card application is pending.

Who Cannot become a U.S. citizen?

USCIS's definition of aggravated felony includes many crimes that you would expect; such as rape, sexual abuse of a minor, drug trafficking, firearm trafficking, racketeering, running a prostitution business, child pornography, and fraud of $10,000 or more.

How can you be denied citizenship?

Does credit score affect citizenship application?

USCIS will consider an applicant's credit report, credit score, debts and other liabilities as a factor in determining whether the individual is likely to become a public charge. A good credit report is considered a positive factor while a bad credit report is considered a negative factor.

Can immigration look at your Facebook?

The short answer is no, USCIS officials will no longer look through your social media accounts before they approve your green card petition. The short answer is no, USCIS officials will no longer look through your social media accounts before they approve your green card petition.

Can immigration spy on you?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has crafted a sophisticated surveillance dragnet designed to spy on most people living in the United States, without the need for warrants and many times circumventing state privacy laws, such as those in California, according to a two-year investigation released Tuesday by the ...

What shows up on USCIS background check?

Your name will be checked against various databases of known criminals or suspects, including the FBI's Universal Index, to check whether there is a match. This includes administrative, applicant, criminal, personnel, and other files compiled by law enforcement.

Can I get denied citizenship because of speeding tickets?

If your speeding tickets are tied to criminal charges (such as DUI), the U.S. government can deny you citizenship. If you're still on probation for a traffic ticket (like reckless driving or DUI) at the time of your interview, your N-400 application is most likely to get denied.

Can you become a US citizen with 3 DUI?

Two or More DUIs and Good Moral Character for Naturalization Purposes. presumption of a lack of good moral character when an applicant commits two or more DUIs within the statutory period (five or three years before naturalizing). "Rebuttable" is an important word here.

How do you show good moral character for citizenship?

An applicant for naturalization must show that he or she has been, and continues to be, a person of good moral character. In general, the applicant must show GMC during the five-year period immediately preceding his or her application for naturalization and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance.

What crimes do not involve moral turpitude?

What are crimes of moral turpitude for immigration purposes?

Crimes against a person involve moral turpitude when the offense contains criminal intent or recklessness or when the crime is defined as morally reprehensible by state statute. Criminal intent or recklessness may be inferred from the presence of unjustified violence or the use of a dangerous weapon.

What is an example of turpitude?

Turpitude is defined as wickedness or sinfulness. An example of turpitude is behavior considered immoral and sinful by society. See moral turpitude.