McBean Immigration Law

Naturalization Approved in 5 Months for Client with Criminal Record

September 11, 2022

After 9 years as a Green Card holder, client met with us in October 2021 to discuss applying for naturalization.
He was worried about whether he could ever become a U.S. citizen because he has a criminal record with theft offenses.
He lives in a conservative southern state and knows that the field offices in his state can be very tough on immigrants.

We assured him that we would firstly analyze his theft record very carefully before proceeding.
We learned that he has three theft arrests but was not convicted for any of the offenses.
However, he admitted to one of the offenses, and USCIS could have argued that his “admission” is a conviction of a crime of moral turpitude.  
We prepared a strong memorandum that argues that if USCIS takes the above position, his offense falls under the petty offense exception.

We also argued that the theft offense in his state is not a crime of moral turpitude that would render him removable or bar him from establishing good moral character.


We filed the case on March 25, 2022
In July 2022, we prepared him for his interview.
We also had a local attorney appear with him at his interview in July.
In August 2022, his case was approved! 
He was sworn in last week!

If you have a criminal record and want to apply for naturalization, contact us for professional help with your case.

P.S. Success stories are based on real cases. However, each case is different and past successes do not guarantee that all cases will have a similar result.  

About the Author

mcbeanlawfirm

McBean Law, PLLC is a New York, Westchester-based immigration law firm that represents clients in the United States and across the globe.

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