Green card denied ??

[Hlima hi 15]

Hello everyone! Please help me..

i applied for I-751 to remove conditions from my conditional green card last week. But I have a problem, I got arrested 2 months back for shoplifting and when I went to the court my attorney was able to reduce charges to petty disorderly person offense which carries a possible jail sentence of 30 days but I didn’t spend any jail time because it’s my first offense. And I am not on probation either. I just paid a fine of around 400$.

me and my husband are happily married and we have 2 little kids. Now my question is, can I still get 10 years green card with this petty disorderly person offense or no?

and next may I will be eligible for citizenship, should I go ahead and apply or I have to show 3 years of good moral character even though my charge is not a crime of moral turpitude.

thank you sooo much for your help and your time I really appreciate it! 

[Russ&Caro 1,548]

All you can do is file and hope for the best. Although this is one situation where you might consider hiring an experienced immigration lawyer, especially one that has dealt with clients with criminal records. Might be well worth the cost.

[Hlima hi 15]

I already hired a lawyer but I just want to know if there is anybody who knows something about this and can help me more

[Jaquelly 1,647]

If you did hire a lawyer, call them. This is a sticky situation, especially because you now have an arrest record.

[Hlima hi 15]

@Jaquelly I know what you are saying that’s why we reduced the charges to petty disorderly person offense which is not a crime of moral turpitude, and I saw people in this website getting their citizenship with theft charges, that’s why I posted so that they can help me with this process. Thank you anyway for your time.

[Jaquelly 1,647]

Just now, Hlima hi said:

@Jaquelly I know what you are saying that’s why we reduced the charges to petty disorderly person offense which is not a crime of moral turpitude, and I saw people in this website getting their citizenship with theft charges, that’s why I posted so that they can help me with this process. Thank you anyway for your time.

I googled it. VisaJourney is a great resource, but you should get as much information as you can from as many resources as you can, including your lawyer. 

 

I hope that whatever happens, things clear up for you. 

[Hlima hi 15]

@Jaquelly Thank you so much 🙂

[Credo 12]

Say a prayer and hope for the best. Their is no right or wrong answer to your question. Goodluck 

[Hlima hi 15]

@Credo Thank you ☺️

[Russ&Caro 1,548]

Entering "shoplifting" into the VJ search box brings up some interesting threads which might be slightly relevant. Unfortunately most of the threads involve members who question whether it will affect ROC or citizenship but then they don't report back on the results of their own cases. At least one trusted member who is an attorney (Sandraj) that replied to one of the threads seemed to believe it would not have a significant impact on the case.

 

EDIT: You might try a personal message to the OP of this thread. Same offense for shoplifting the same amount of items, reduced to a disorderly conduct charge. Fairly recent too, i.e. 1.5 yrs ago. Either he/she did successfully naturalize, or didn't.

 

Edited July 31, 2018 by Russ&Caro

[Hlima hi 15]

@Russ&Caro Yes I checked but most of them don’t come back to tell what happened to with them.

Yes my attorney is also saying this charge should not affect me as long as it’s the only one and I shouldn’t do any silly mistake again (which I will never do again). So let’s see I will definitely come back here and give an update 

[dandk 72]

2 hours ago, Hlima hi said:

@MadMax101 we all are humans and we do mistakes, I don’t know what I was thinking but that will not happen again .

There goes your chance to obtain Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.

[Hlima hi 15]

@dandk sorry ? I didn’t get you.

[dandk 72]

15 minutes ago, Hlima hi said:

@dandk sorry ? I didn’t get you.

If you traveled often through airports be it domestic or international, it's nice to have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. They are pre-screened programs to expedite your security clearance via TSA at the airports. So, that you don't need to take off your shoes or taking out your electronic devices from your bags. Besides they are shorter lines. Since you have a criminal record with your arrest and fine, you're no longer qualify for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. So, you would be lining up with the rest of the herds at TSA line at the airports. Global Entry is expedited customs screening upon entry to the US after traveling abroad. You'll get designated kiosk without filling out paperwork, print a slip, and go through customs faster than the people waiting in processing lines.

Edited July 31, 2018 by dandk

[TM92 527]

24 minutes ago, Hlima hi said:

@dandk sorry ? I didn’t get you.

Here is some info for Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check if you are interested: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1309/ and https://www.tsa.gov/disqualifying-offenses-factors

Edited July 31, 2018 by TM92