Crimes and Immigration Services

An immigrant may obtain legal status within the Unites States by applying for a temporary visa or applying for a green card, also known as lawful permanent residence. Before this process can happen however the government must ensure that the individual meets the regulations and requirements to be an “admissible” to the US. Inadmissibility means that applications for a visa or a green card will be denied unless the individual qualifies to receive a waiver, also known as “legal forgiveness.” Section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) lists specific criminal acts, violations, sicknesses, and financial aid necessities that are grounds for inadmissibility. Let’s focus on a general list of crimes that serve as grounds for inadmissibility under the law.

 

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LIST OF CRIMES

The following is a list of crimes that the I.N.A. deems “inadmissible.” Some acts require a criminal court conviction to create inadmissibility, while others do not:
 

• Crimes of moral turpitude (unless the individual was under 18)
• Conviction for use or conspiracy to use a controlled substance
• Convictions for two or more crimes (non-political) for which the sentences’ combined total is more than 5 years
• Conviction for drug trafficking (includes aiding, conspiring, and participating in such events)
• Engaging in prostitution
• Involvement in importation of prostitutes (includes participating, assisting, and conspiring in such events)
• Committing a criminal offense in the U.S. and refusing prosecution through immunity
• Rigorously violating religious freedom while acting as a foreign official of the government
• Engaging in human trafficking (includes participating, assisting, conspiring, and having knowledge about such events but not acting on the information)
• An aggravated felony conviction
• Engaging in money laundering while in the U.S. (also having a history of money laundering)

In addition to criminal acts, the I.N.A also states that involvement in the following security violations are grounds for inadmissibility:
 

• Terrorism
• Espionage
• Totalitarianism
• Sabotage
• Nazi persecution

 

HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CRIMINAL HISTORY

When an immigrant goes to apply for a green card or temporary visa, there is a section of the application that asks about prior criminal history. For many immigrants, this will determine whether the crimes listed are grounds for inadmissibility. For those who omit important criminal information or neglect to share their criminal history altogether, fingerprint analysis that is done as part of the application may determine if the individual has committed a crime prior to applying for immigrant services. Those who lie about their criminal history are prevented from receiving any future U.S. immigration benefits. Of course, not all crimes are subject to an inadmissibility standing. It is important to talk to your immigration lawyer about your criminal history to determine if you are inadmissible, and if so, if you are eligible to receive legal forgiveness.

 

RELATED INFORMATION: CRIMES AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

 

• I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
• AAO: I-601 Waiver Victory – 10-year Bar (1-09-08)
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services

 

 

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