How will a cash seizure affect my N400 (application for citizenship) ?

[sls 13]

I wanted to visit Canada and drove to it from Florida. I didn’t know how much cash I had exactly on me since I was always stopping at hotels, gas stations, restaurants... I knew I had less than $8k US dollars. After counting the money (Many bills of $1 $5 $20 $100), they seized it because it was a little bit over 10k Canadian dollars. After I answered their questions... they went to a room for 30min. They said : we believe you are an honest person, you told us the truth and didn’t hide anything. We are going to give you your money back.
I had to pay a penalty of 250 Canadian dollars.
I believe this should be disclosed on my N400 as detained. Can it be a cause of denial ?
Thank you

[Mike E 11,723]

18 minutes ago, sls said:

I believe this should be disclosed on my N400 as detained. Can it be a cause of denial ?

Yes it should be disclosed because you paid a fine.

 

It can be a cause of denial. Failing to disclose it can be a cause of denial, or worse, de-naturalization later.

[sls 13]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

Yes it should be disclosed because you paid a fine.

 

It can be a cause of denial. Failing to disclose it can be a cause of denial, or worse, de-naturalization later.

Thank you for you answer. I submitted my application yesterday and I disclosed it in details. Do you think it can affect the Good Moral Character ? 

[Mike E 11,723]

Just now, sls said:

Thank you for you answer. I submitted my application yesterday and I disclosed it in details. Do you think it can affect the Good Moral Character ? 

Sure it can.

 

But I doubt it will cause you to be denied naturalization.

 

You might want to consider a consult with an immigration attorney, and depending on the attorney's advice, have your attorney with you in the interview.

 

You should be prepared to answer why you have over $8000 USD with you.

[sls 13]

I had the cash because I just got my motorcycle license, and I wanted to buy a motorcycle. 

I don't think it's illegal to carry cash of that amount. 

[geowrian 22,335]

Not illegal. But it can certainly raise questions as to the source, to ensure it is not involved in illegal activities, smuggling, etc.

But they addressed that concern already, and I don't expect an IO to overrule or question their judgement. I would not expect it to become a GMC issue.

[Mike E 11,723]

4 minutes ago, sls said:

I had the cash because I just got my motorcycle license, and I wanted to buy a motorcycle. 

I don't think it's illegal to carry cash of that amount. 

You were going to buy a motorcycle in Canada and import it into the USA? Possible, but it is a tough sell. 

 

Correct, that it isn't illegal to carry that amount in the USA. However, sometimes people who carry that amount of cash got the cash illegally.

 

What is illegal is failing to declare that much cash into certain countries. Such as Canada. There are others with even lower thresholds.

[sls 13]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Not illegal. But it can certainly raise questions as to the source, to ensure it is not involved in illegal activities, smuggling, etc.

But they addressed that concern already, and I don't expect an IO to overrule or question their judgement. I would not expect it to become a GMC issue.

Exactely, they seized the money and I had to show them my bank account, proof where the money came from. They were convinced it was not for terrorism or money laundering... that's why I got to get my money back. 250 penalty was for failing to declare them. Thank you guys for the answers. I just did not want it to mess up the GMC. 

[sls 13]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

You were going to buy a motorcycle in Canada and import it into the USA? Possible, but it is a tough sell. 

 

Correct, that it isn't illegal to carry that amount in the USA. However, sometimes people who carry that amount of cash got the cash illegally.

 

What is illegal is failing to declare that much cash into certain countries. Such as Canada. There are others with even lower thresholds.

I was not going to buy the motorcycle in canada. I was going to visit my cousin in canada for 3 days. the money was on me for my trip and for the motorcycle that I would find on my way back to Florida. I still have the money and haven't bought the motorcycle yet. 

If the money was hidden in my  car ... the penalty would have been 5000 dollars.

[Junior-sfo 9]

@sls Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

Probably was an honest mistake but since you declared it on N400, you came out as an honest person. 

If your tax returns show you earned substantially more than $8K, the source is already there and justified.

 

I wish you all the best. 

 

PS: There are people with criminal convictions & charges who have also become citizens before. 

[sls 13]

Thank you @Junior-sfo for your message. I appreciate your PS : meaning If people with criminal convictions and charges are approved... why not me :) I hope so 🙏🏻