Q & A January 29, 2006

Q & A 1.

Q&A 1.

Watch Out for Misdemeanors as They Can Lead to Removal

Lee Reader Asks:

I had just received my conditional green card and went to a spa learning massage. Later, the police came and charged me with an “A” type of misdemeanor because I did not have massage license. The police told me that if I pleaded guilty, I would not be jailed or fined, however, there would be a criminal record. My questions are:
1. If I plead guilty, would I be sent back to my home county?
2. If I would not be sent back to home county, would it affect my naturalization?

Dear reader:

1 On so little information, I cannot tell you whether you face the possibility of removal proceedings from the U.S.. My suggestion is that you take all the papers to an immigration lawyer with knowledge of deportation consequences prior to making your plea. If the charged offense is a deportable offense, you might also want to have a lawyer representing you to fight the charge or negotiate a plea to a lesser offense. Unfortunately some misdemeanors can serve as grounds for deportation.

2 Even if the misdemeanor is a non-deportable offense, it could affect your naturalization since that process requires good moral character for five years. I reiterate my advice in the above answer.

Copyright © 2003-2006 Alan Lee, Esq.
The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any particular set of facts or circumstances. It should not be construed as legal advice and does not constitute an engagement of the Law Office of Alan Lee or establish an attorney-client relationship.