How to Gain American Citizenship While Having a Criminal Record

High character is a prerequisite for citizenship.

The United States Congress has mandated that a person must be of good moral character before being allowed to naturalize as a United States citizen. If you have been convicted of murder, you are ineligible to become a citizen. Likewise, if you have been convicted of an aggravated felony on or after November 29,1990, your conviction is a bar to your naturalization. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service must make a determination on all other arrests and convictions.

Instructions

1. Complete Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization. For Part 10, Section D on Good Moral Character, answer the questions pertaining to any arrests and/or convictions you may have.

2. Gather your documentation pertaining to arrest records, court sentencing and probation and parole reports, if applicable. Also, gather any counter evidence that you wish the United States Citizenship and Immigration investigators to know about your case.

3. Submit your criminal arrest and conviction documentation along with your N-400 application to the appropriate USCIS mailing location as listed on the USCIS website. You do not have to include information on traffic tickets unless they were alcohol- or drug-related and included an arrest and/or monetary fine of more than $500. The Immigration Service will make a determination as to whether or not you qualify for citizenship.

Tips & Warnings

• Tell the truth. If you lie about an offense,and are later found out, you could be deported even if the original offense was not a bar to your becoming a citizen.

References

• USCIS: Good Moral Character