Did you know that an old arrest record and an expired green card don’t have to stand between you and U.S. citizenship?
Here’s what happened to our client from Trinidad and Tobago.
He arrived in the United States in July 2000 on a B-2 visa — and never left. For more than twenty-five years, he built his life here, planting deep roots in New York, where he has lived for over two decades without a single trip outside the country.
In 2010, he obtained his green card through his marriage to a U.S. citizen — a marriage that remains strong to this day.
By every measure, he had earned his place in this country. But like many long-term residents, he had put off taking the final step.
There were concerns holding him back. In 2003, he had been arrested — a moment from over twenty years ago that continued to weigh on him. The charges were dismissed, but the worry never fully went away.
His green card had also expired in 2023, and while he filed an I-90 renewal in 2025, he wasn’t sure whether any of this would affect his eligibility for citizenship.
It didn’t. But he needed the right guidance to see that clearly.
That’s when he came to McBean Law.
Our team conducted a thorough review of his immigration history and carefully assessed every factor — his continuous residence, his physical presence, his consistent record of filing and paying taxes each year, and the dismissed 2003 arrest.
We prepared detailed documentation and legal arguments to clearly establish his good moral character and address the prior arrest head-on.
With a strong, complete application in hand, we filed his N-400 in October 2025.
In April 2026, he walked into the USCIS field office for his naturalization interview — and walked out successful.
We are proud to share that his N-400 has been approved. He is now scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance on the 4th of July!
After twenty-five years of building a life in this country, he will become a U.S. citizen on the day America celebrates its own.
When the path forward feels uncertain, the right guidance can make all the difference.
P.S. Every case is different. Prior results do not guarantee similar future outcomes. Always consult with a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation.
