advisory for lawyers: naturalization considerations … · -practice tips on filling out the n -400...

ADVISORYFORLAWYERS:NATURALIZATIONCONSIDERATIONSFORPEOPLEWITHPRIORLAWENFORCEMENTCONTACTS

TableofContentsIntroduction,includingkeystepsforscreeningandrepresentation-2STEP1:Gatherthorough,objectivedocumentationofcriminalhistory.-2

- Questionstoaskyourclient-2- Documentstogatherfromyourclient-3- Createatimeline-3

STEP2:Determineifapplicantiscriminallydeportable.-3

- Determiningcriminaldeportability-4- Noteofcautionaboutthedefinitionof“conviction”-4- Typeofoffensesthatcantriggerdeportability-5- Noteofcautionaboutthelimitedmarijuanaexception-5- CommonNYoffensesthatdonottriggerdeportability-6- HowUSCISdecidestoreferapplicantsforremovalproceedings-6- Whattodiscusswithclientifs/heisdeportable-6

STEP3:DetermineifapplicantisbarredfromestablishingGMC.-7

- ConvictionsthatpermanentlybarGMC-7- ConvictionsoradmissionsthatbarGMCduringthestatutoryperiod-7- AdditionalcriminalissuesthatbarGMC-8- Noteofcautionaboutunresolvedsentences-8

STEP4:Assesshowlawenforcementcontactsmayimpactdiscretionarydecision.-8

- Regulatoryauthoritytoconsidercriminalhistoryindiscretion-9- Noteofcautionaboutcriminalcasesoutsideofthestatutoryperiod-9- PracticetipsonfillingouttheN-400-9- Preparetoavoidproblematicadmissionsatthenaturalizationinterview-10- TipsondelaysinadjudicationorRequestsforEvidence(RFEs)-11- Warningclientsaboutnewlawenforcementcontactswithapplicationpending-11

Lawyers’NaturalizationChecklistforCriminalHistoryIssues-12


©ImmigrantDefenseProject,2017Thisisnotaexhaustivelistofstrategiesandtips.Furthermore,thisguidanceisnotasubstitutefortheindividualanalysisrequiredineachcase.

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Intoday’snationalpoliticalclimate,manyimmigrants–includingthoseintheU.S.lawfully--feardeportationorothernegativeimmigrationconsequences.Thus,manylawfulpermanentresidents(“greencard”holders)areconsideringapplyingforU.S.citizenshipnoworassoonastheybecomeeligible.However,alawfulpermanentresidentwithapastcriminalhistoryshouldproceedcarefullybeforeapplyingforcitizenship.Why?

• Theapplicantbearstheburdenofdisclosingallarrest,citation,&convictioninformation.Failuretodosocanresultindenialofanapplicationorotheradverseimmigrationconsequences.

• Theapplicantmightbecriminallydeportable&putintodeportationproceedingsifs/heappliestonaturalize.

• Evenifnotcriminallydeportable,criminallegalcontactsduringthestatutoryperiodcanbaragoodmoralcharacter(GMC)finding.

• Criminallegalcontactscanresultindiscretionarydenialifnothandledproperly.• Thefederalgovernmentaggressivelyscrutinizestheseapplications,evenyearslater.

Mistakesormisrepresentationscanhauntaclientandmayevenleadthefederalgovernmenttopursuedenaturalization.

Lawyersscreeningandassistingclientscanplayacrucialroleinpreventingdisastrousconsequencesandmaximizingsuccessfulapplications.

KEYSTEPSFORSCREENING&REPRESENTATION

1.Gatherthorough,objectivedocumentationofcriminalhistory.2.Determineifapplicantiscriminallydeportable.[INA§§237(a)(2),101(a)(43)]3.DetermineifapplicantisbarredfromestablishingGMC.[INA§101(f)]4.Assesshowlawenforcementcontactsmayimpactdiscretionarydecision.

STEP1:GATHERTHOROUGH,OBJECTIVEDOCUMENTATIONOFCRIMINALHISTORY.Conductadetailedintake.Askquestionsinaneutral,non-judgmentaltonetoencourageyourclienttobetruthfulandcomplete.Donotrelysolelyonself-reportingandrequireobjectivedocumentationsoyoucandoanaccuratelegalanalysisandprovidethenecessaryattachmentsiffilinganapplication.

QUESTIONSTOASKYOURCLIENT:

Someclientsmaynotrememberorunderstandwhathappenedinacriminalcase.Also,evencasesthatweredismissedcanhaveseriousimmigrationconsequences.Itisimportanttoidentifyanyandallcontacts–includingarrestsanddismissals–soyoucananalyzetheirimpactontheperson’simmigrationstatus.Considerthefollowingquestionsthatcanhelpguideyourclienttotheanswersyouneedtoprovideanalysis:



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• Haveyoueverbeenarrested?• Haveyoueverbeenstoppedbypolice?• Hasanyoneevercalledthepoliceonyou?• Haveyoueverbeentakentoaprecinct?

• Haveyoueverbeengivenaticket?• Haveyoueverhadtoseeajudge?• Didyoueverhavetogotocourttofightacase?• Haveyoueverbeenputinhandcuffs?

PRACTICETIPONDIFFERENTTYPESOFARRESTS&INTERACTIONSW/LAWENFORCEMENT:Learnaboutyourlocalcriminallegalsystemtohelpyouinterviewclients.Forexample,inNewYorkCity,thefollowingarecommonbutdistinctwayspolicechargethoseaccusedofviolatingthelaw:

• Summons(ticketissuedonthestreet;personnotfingerprintedorbookedataprecinct)

• DeskAppearanceTicketor“DAT”(personbooked,fingerprinted&ticketissuedataprecinct;releasedfromprecinctwithoutcourtarraignmentbeforeajudge)

• Regulararrest(personbookedataprecinct&fingerprinted;transportedtocourtforcentralbooking&arraignmentbeforeajudge;judgereleasedorrequiredpersonbeheldinjail)

DOCUMENTSTOREQUESTFROMYOURCLIENT:

ClientsshouldgotoeveryjurisdictionwheretheyhavebeenarrestedandobtainALLcertificatesofdisposition,includingTransitAdjudicationBureau(TAB)records,DeclinetoProsecutelettersfromDistrictAttorneysandrecordsofanyarrest,evenifthecasedidnotresultinchargesorifchargeswereexpunged,dismissedordropped.Thesedocumentsarecrucialtoaccuratelegalanalysis(e.g.toseestatuteandsubsectionofconviction)andmustbeprovidedwiththeN-400.

CREATEATIMELINE:

Onceyouhavegathereddocumentationofyourclient’scriminalhistory,createatimelinethatincludesimportantimmigrationandcriminalhistorydates,suchasdatesofadmissiontoU.S.,issuanceofpermanentresidentstatus,commissionofoffense,conviction,andsentencing.Thiswillhelpyouanalyzedeportabilityandeligibility;inrarecases,itcanalsohelpyouidentifyissuesthatputaclientatriskofdeportation,suchasconvictionsnotproperlydisclosedintheprocessofreceivingofagreencard.

STEP2:DETERMINEIFAPPLICANTISCRIMINALLYDEPORTABLE.Itiscrucialtostartbyscreeningyourclientcarefullyfordeportability,includingareviewofcertificatesofdispositionforeverysinglearrestorcitation.ApplyingtonaturalizebringsapersonindirectcontactwithDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS)officerswhohaveconductedanextensivebackgroundcheckandtheTrumpadministrationhasstatedICEwillprioritizedeportinglegallyremovablepeoplewithpriorcriminalcontacts.SeeExecutiveOrder,datedJanuary25,2017,availableathttp://bit.ly/2jybzNG.Moreover,foryears,USCIS,hasroutinelydeniedapplications



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frompeoplewhoaredeportableandreferredtheindividualsforremovalproceedings.So,youshouldassumethat,ifaclientisremovableandappliestonaturalize,s/hewillbeplacedinremovalproceedings–nomatterhowoldorminortheconviction.

DETERMININGCRIMINALDEPORTABILITY:

Todetermineifyourclientisdeportable,youmustindividuallyanalyzeeachcriminalcaseandconductlegalresearch.Ifyouarenot100%confidentaboutwhetheryourclient’sconvictionisadeportableoffense,consultorreferthecasetoacriminal-immigrationspecialist.Thresholdquestionstoanswertoanalyzecriminaldeportability:- Isthisaconvictionforimmigrationpurposes?

o Ifyes,doesitfallintoanyofthedeportabilitycategoriesinINA§237?Note:Youshouldlookthroughtheimmigrationstatutetoensureyoudonotmissarelevantcategoryunderwhichtheconvictionmayfall.

o Ifno,doesitfallintooneofthecategoriesinINA§237thatdoesnotrequireaconvictiontotriggerdeportability?(i.e.inadmissibleattimeofentryoradjustment,violatorsofordersofprotection,etc.)Deportabilitycanbetriggeredevenbyoffensesthatneverresultedinacriminalconviction.LookthroughINA§237eachtimeyouareconductinganalysisandconsiderallcriminallegalcontacts–notsimplyconvictionsunderstatelaw.

- Remembertocheckifinadmissibleattimeofentry/adjustment:Useyourtimeline!Watchoutforarrests,charges,convictions,etc.beforeanadjustmentandmakesuretheI-485wascompletedaccurately.Also,keepaneyeoutforcriminallegalcontactsbeforeinternationaltravel.Thecontactsmayhavemadethepersoncriminallyinadmissibleand,uponreturnandre-entry,deportable.

NOTEOFCAUTIONABOUTTHEDEFINITIONOFCONVICTION:NY“violations”arenotcrimesbutnonethelessaretreatedas“convictions”underimmigrationlawifhandledincriminalcourt(whichincludessummonscourt).Similarly,DHSmaytreatconvictionsthataredismissedorreducedafteraguiltypleaandcompletionofrehabilitativeprogrammingas“convictions.”SeeINA§101(a)(48)fortheimmigrationlawdefinitionof“conviction”andtheaforementionedlegalresourcesforinformationonwhattypesofoffensesare“convictions”forimmigrationpurposes.



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OFFENSESTHATMAYTRIGGERDEPORTABILITYinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

• Drugoffenses:exceptsingleconvictionformarijuanapossessionunder30gramsforpersonaluse.

o BEWARE:Somenon-criminaloffensescanmakeapersondeportable.Forexample,PL§221.05,unlawfulpossessionofmarijuana,a“violation”–notacrime–underNYlawcanbeconsideredadrugconvictionundertheimmigrationlaw!Beforesubmittinganapplication,youmustdoadditionalresearchtoseewhetherthemarijuanaexceptionappliestoyourclientandwhetheryoucanproveitasnecessaryfornaturalization.See8CFR§316.10(b)(2)(iii).Ifnot,yourclientislikelytoendupinremovalproceedings.

• Crimesinvolvingmoralturpitude(CIMTs):typicallyoffensesinvolvingintenttostealordefraud;offenseswherephysicalharmwascausedorthreatened;and/orsexoffenses

• Firearmoffenses• Crimesofdomesticviolence,stalking,childabuseorabandonment• Violationsofanorderofprotection(Note:doesn’trequireaconviction)• AggravatedFelonies(whichcanbestatemisdemeanors):

o Murder,rape,sexualabuseofaminoro Drugtrafficking(includessaleorpossessionw/intenttodistributeorsell)o Traffickingoffirearmsorexplosivematerialso Certaincrimeswhereyoureceived1+yearprisonsentence(evenifsuspendedoryou

didn’tservethetime):crimeofviolence,theftorburglary,commercialbribery,forgery,counterfeiting,obstructionofjustice

o Fraudordeceitoffensew/losstovictimofmorethan$10,000o Certain“aliensmuggling”offenses

NOTEOFCAUTIONABOUTTHELIMITEDMARIJUANAEXCEPTION:Beextremelycarefulwiththesecases,asanincorrectdecisioncanlandyourclientinremovalproceedingsand/orineligiblefornaturalization.Ifyoubelieveyourclient’sconvictionmayfitthemarijuanaexceptiontodeportabilityunderINA§237(a)(2),donotrelyonself-reporting.Requesttherecordofconvictionbeforesubmittinganaturalizationapplicationtoassess:

• Wouldthegovernmentbeabletoprovemyclientisdeportablefora“controlledsubstanceoffense?”Note:Fordeportability,thegovernmentbearstheburdenofprovingtheexceptiondoesnotapplytoyourclient.

• Canmyclientprovethesinglemarijuanaconvictionwasforsimplepossessionforpersonaluseandinvolved30gramsorlessofmarijuana?(Tip:anounceis28.35grams)Note:Fornaturalization,yourclientbearstheburdenofprovingtheexceptiondoesapplytohimorher.See8CFR§316.10(b)(2)(iii).



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COMMONNYOFFENSESTHATDONOTMAKEACLIENTDEPORTABLE:Note:theycantemporarilybarGMCdependingonthesentenceandtimingoftheoutcome.Moreover,bewarethattheunderlyingchargescancomeupinadjudicationoftheapplication.• AdjournmentinContemplationofDismissal(ACD,ACOD)underPL170.55/56• PenalLaw§240.20(disorderlyconduct)• PenalLaw§140.05(trespass)• VehicleandTrafficLaw§§511,509(drivingwithasuspendedlicense)• VehicleandTrafficLaw§1192(1)

HOWUSCISDECIDESTOREFERANATURALIZATIONAPPLICANTFORREMOVALPROCEEDINGS:

Inpractice,ifyourclientisdeportable,youshouldexpectUSCIStoreferhim/herforremovalproceedings.FormoreinformationonDHSpractice,seeNovember7,2011USCISPolicyMemorandumontheReferralofCasesandIssuanceofNTAsinCasesInvolvingInadmissibleandRemovableAliensatbit.ly/1NqN4zg.Attimeofpublication,thismemorandumisstillineffectbutissubjecttochangeinthefuture.Belowaresomeofthemainpointsofguidance,butadvocatesshouldreadthememorandumcarefullyforeachindividualcaseandalsochecktoensurethememoisstillineffectatthetimeofanalysis:

- USCISmustrefertoICE“EgregiousPublicSafety”(EPS)caseswhereapplicantisunderinvestigationfor,hasbeenarrestedfor,orhasbeenconvictedofcertainenumeratedaggravatedfeloniesorbeingagangmember,amongothertriggers.ICEwilldecidewhethertoissueanNTAbeforeUSCISadjudicatestheapplication.

- Iftheapplicantisinadmissibleordeportableforanon-EPSoffenseandcanbedeniedonGMCgrounds,USCISmustdenyandthenrefertoICE.ICEwilldecideifandwhentoinitiateremovalproceedingsandwhethertodetain.

- IftheapplicantisdeportableunderINA§237(i.e.pre-1990aggravatedfelony,deportableoffenseoutsideofGMCperiod,inadmissibleattimeofadjustmentoradmission),thecaseisreferredforreviewbyofficialsatUSCISandICEtodeterminewhethertoissueanNTA.

PRACTICETIPONWHATTODISCUSSIFPROSPECTIVECLIENTISDEPORTABLE:

Whentalkingabouttheconsequencesofapplying,considerthefollowing:- ThefactthattheclientmaybepickedupbyICEinthecommunityatanytime(evenifs/he

doesnotfiletheapplication)andthat,byapplying,s/heisprovidingfingerprintstofacilitateacriminalbackgroundcheckaswellastheircurrentaddress

- Whatitwouldmeantobeindeportationproceedings,includingwhethertheclientislikelytobedetained[seeINA§236(a),(c)]andforhowlong

- Whethertheclientiseligibleforanyreliefifplacedinremovalproceedings- Whethertheclientmaybenefitfrompost-convictionrelieforapardon

Ifyourclientisdeportable,youmaywanttoconsiderwhetherpost-convictionrelief(vacatingtheconvictionincriminalcourtbasedonsomelegalerrorintheproceeding)orapardonmightimprove



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his/herlegalsituation.SeeINA§237(a)(2)(A)(vi)todetermineifapardonwouldameliorateconsequences.IftheconvictionisfromNewYork,youcancontactIDPforsupportatimmdefense.org.RESOURCESthatcanhelpyoustartdeportabilityanalysis:

- IDPImmigrationConsequencesofCrimesSummaryChecklistatbit.ly/2oTubNr- IDPNYQuickReferenceChart,updatedJuly2016,atbit.ly/2oTsX4C- Kurzban’sImmigrationLawSourcebook,byIraJ.Kurzban- ImmigrationLaw&Crimes,byDanKesselbrenner(Author),LoryD.Rosenberg(Author),

MariaBaldini-Potermin(Editor)- Visitourwebsite–immdefense.org–formoreresourcesforimmigrationlawyers.

STEP3:DETERMINEIFAPPLICANTISBARREDFROMESTABLISHINGGMC.Tobeeligiblefornaturalization,apersonmust:

• Bealawfulpermanentresidentforfiveyears(threeyearsifmarriedtoaU.S.citizen);• Beapersonofgoodmoralcharacternowandduringtherequiredresidenceperiod;and• Passcertaintests,likeliteracyandcivics.

UnderINA§101(f)and8CFR§316.10,certaincriminalcontactscanbaranapplicantfrombeingabletoestablishgoodmoralcharacter(GMC).SomeconvictionspermanentlybarafindingofGMCandmakeapersonpermanentlyineligiblefornaturalization.Otherconvictionsareonlytemporarybars,whichmeanstheapplicationwillbedeniedandtheclientshouldwaituntiltheconvictionisnolongerabartoreassesswhethertoapply.

CONVICTIONSTHATPERMANENTLYBARGMC:

• AggravatedfelonyconvictiononorafterNovember29,1990• MurderconvictionatanytimeFortemporarybars,apersoncannotestablishGMCduringthestatutoryperiod,whichisthe5years(or3yearsifmarriedtoaU.S.citizen)priortosubmittingtheapplication.

CONVICTIONSORADMISSIONSTHATBARGMCDURINGTHESTATUTORYPERIODincludebutarenotlimitedto:• Controlledsubstanceoffense(exceptsingleoffenseofsimplepossessionof30gorlessofmarijuana–

note:fornaturalization,burdenisonapplicanttoshowthisexceptionapplies)• Crimeinvolvingmoralturpitude(exceptiftheoffenseisnotsubjecttoapotentialjailsentencein

excessofoneyear,theactualsentencereceiveddoesnotexceedsixmonthsinjail,andtheapplicanthasnopriorcrimeinvolvingmoralturpitude)

• Twoormoreoffensesofanytypeandcommittedatanytimeforwhichyoureceivedatotal(aggregate)sentenceof5yearsormore



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ADDITONALCRIMINALISSUESTHATBARGMCduringthestatutoryperiodincludebutarenotlimitedto:• Confinementtojailfor180daysormore• Hasgivenfalsetestimonyforanimmigrationbenefit• Twoormoregamblingconvictionsorprimaryincomefromillegalgambling• IsorwasinvolvedinprostitutionasdescribedinINA§212(a)(2)(D)• Isorwasinvolvedin“aliensmuggling”asdescribedinINA§212(a)(2)(E)• Polygamy(pastorcurrent)• Isorwashabitualdrunkard

NOTEOFCAUTIONABOUTUNRESOLVEDSENTENCES:

Per8CFR§316.10,anapplicationwillnotbeapproveduntilcompletionofanyprobation,paroleorsuspendedsentence.USCIShasinterpretedthistoincludeunresolvedsentences–forexample:

• Theperiodbeforewhichacaseisdismissed(suchastheperiodafteraNYAdjournmentinContemplationofDismissaldispositionbutbeforeadismissal)

• Thetimeduringwhichtheapplicantisunderthejurisdictionofthecourt,evenwithoutspecificobligations(suchastheperiodofaNY“conditionaldischarge”)

• Anysentencewheretheapplicantstillhasobligationstocourt,suchasfinestopayorcommunityservice

Itisimportantthat,witheachcase,youreviewthefullstatuteandregulationonGMCtoseeifanycategoriesapply.ForlawenforcementcontactsthatdonotbarGMC,youshouldalsoconsiderthediscretionaryimpact–especiallyifthecontactwaswithinthestatutoryperiod.IfyourclientisbarredfromestablishingGMC,youmaywanttoconsiderwhetherpost-convictionrelief(vacatingtheconvictionincriminalcourtbasedonsomelegalerrorintheproceeding)orapardonmightimprovehis/herlegalsituation.Also,notethat8CFR§316.10containssomelanguageregardingtheimpactof“fullandunconditional”executivepardonsandexpungements.IftheconvictionisfromNewYork,youcancontactIDPforsupportatimmdefense.org.STEP4:ASSESSHOWLAWENFORCEMENTCONTACTSMAYIMPACTDISCRETIONARYDECISION.EveniftheclientisnotbarredfromestablishingGMC,lawenforcementcontactscanimpacttheadjudicationofanaturalizationapplication.Theclientislikelytoreceivequestionsaboutcriminalcontactsatthenaturalizationinterviewandmayendurerequestsforevidence(RFEs)aboutcriminalcases.USCISmayconsidercriminallegalcontactsandfindinitsdiscretionthatanapplicantlackstheGMCnecessarytogaincitizenship.Moreover,applicationsforanindividualwhohaspriorlawenforcementcontactsundergoadditionalscrutinyandoftentakelongertoadjudicatebecauseof



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themanylevelsofreview.Nonetheless,asanadvocate,youcanplayaroleinminimizingthenegativeimpactofcriminallegalcontactsandmaximizingthechancesofsuccess.

REGULATORYAUTHORITYTOCONSIDERCRIMINALHISTORYINDISCRETION:

Under8CFR§316.10(a)(2),USCIS“isnotlimitedtoreviewingtheapplicant'sconductduringthefiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthefilingoftheapplication,butmaytakeintoconsideration,asabasisforitsdetermination,theapplicant'sconductandactsatanytimepriortothatperiod,iftheconductoftheapplicantduringthestatutoryperioddoesnotreflectthattherehasbeenreformofcharacterfromanearlierperiodoriftheearlierconductandactsappearrelevanttoadeterminationoftheapplicant'spresentmoralcharacter.”Also,USCISwillconsiderthefactthatanapplicantwasonprobation,paroleorsuspendedsentenceduringthestatutoryperiod–evenifnotbarredfromestablishingGMC.See8CFR§316.10(c)(1).

BEWAREOFCRIMINALCASES–EVENTHOSEOUTSIDEOFTHESTATUTORYPERIOD:

BewarethatUSCISmightaskaboutand/orconsidercriminalcasesfromoutsideofthestatutoryperiod,especiallyiftheapplicanthasanycontactswithinthestatutoryperiod.Thisisnotlimitedtoconvictions,butmayincludemerearrestsaswell.Thisisparticularlyofconcernifthecaseswereforsimilaroffenses(e.g.2DUIs).Whilethereisnoguaranteeofsuccess,asanadvocate,youcantrytolimitquestioningaboutcontactsoutsideofthestatutoryperiodatthenaturalizationintervieworinRequestsforEvidence,assertingthattheyarenotrelevanttopresentGMC,citinglackofnewcriminallegalcontacts,disconnectbetweentypesofoffenses,and/orstrongproofofreform,ifapplicable.See8CFR§316.10forlanguageaboutrelevanceofcontactsoutsideofthestatutoryperiod.Fromscreeningforrepresentationthroughtheoathofcitizenship,tomaximizesuccess,youshould:(1)properlydiscloseallcriminallegalcontacts;(2)minimizeextraneousinformationaboutcriminalcasestodecreasechancesofnegativeinterpretationoradmissions;(3)prepareyourclienttoanswerquestionsattheinterview;(4)attendtheinterviewandinterveneifnecessarytoavoidproblematicadmissions;and(5)submitpositiveevidenceofGMC.PRACTICETIPSONFILLINGOUTTHEN-400:ItisimportanttoconsiderhowyoudiscusscriminallegalcontactsontheN-400.USCISmayprobebeyondconvictionstosolicitnegativeinformationandadmissions.Yourworkcanhelpminimizethechancesofthat.Belowaresuggestionsoncompletingsomeofthecriminalquestionsontheform:Part12,#29-Whywereyouarrested,cited,detainedorcharged?EnteronlythePenalLaw(PL)code/subsectionlistedinthearraignmentchargessectionofCertificateofDisposition(COD).Anarrativedescriptionisnotnecessaryorrequired.Part12,#29-Outcomeordispositionofthearrest,citation,detentionorcharge(uselastoutcomeonCOD)

• Enteroneofthefollowingforoutcome:Declinedprosecution(usuallyneedDeclineto



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Prosecuteletter);Chargesdismissed;Pledguiltyto[statutenumber];FoundguiltyofPL#.• Enteroneofthefollowingforsentence:#yearsprobation+indicateitwascompleted;#

days/yearsjailor“Timeserved”+calculationoftime;Lengthofconditionaldischarge+conditions(e.g.communityservice).

TrickyQuestion,Part12,#22-CommissionofoffenseforwhichyouwerenotarrestedBecognizantbecauseUSCISmightbringthisupwhenapplicanthasdemonstratedrecordofacertaintypeofarrestcharges(e.g.prostitution).TrickyQuestion,Part12,#30-Haveyouever…?USCISmightarguesomeofthefollowinggroundsapplybasedondocumentaryevidenceofarrests/convictionsprovided.Forexample:

• Habitualdrunkard(multipleDUIs)• Prostitute(pastprostitutionarraignmentcharges)• Saleofdrugs• Gambling• Misrepresentationtoobtainpublicbenefits(welfarefraudcharges)

PREPARETOAVOIDPROBLEMATICADMISSIONSATTHENATURALIZATIONINTERVIEW:

Yourclientshouldbereadytoanswerquestionsaboutallcriminallegalcontacts,includingthosedismissedorexpunged.Admissionsattheinterviewcanimpactdiscretionarydecisionsandstatutoryeligibility;theymayalsocreatefuturebarsordelaystonaturalizationandbarrierstoforeigntravel.So,itisimportanttocounselhimorhertokeepanswerssimple,anditisimportantforyoutoattendtheinterview.

• Tipsfortheclient:Warnthemaboutanyredflagsyouseeforpossibleadmissions.Practicenumeroustimessos/heiscomfortablepresentinganauthenticexplanationbutwithoutgivingextensivedetailstominimizethepotentialforproblematicadmissions.Alertthemtothefactthatyoumayinterveneduringtheinterview.

• Tipsforadvocates:Youshouldnotsendyourclientwithpriorlawenforcementcontactstoattendtheinterviewalone.Bepreparedtopolitelyinterveneinquestioning,ifnecessary,andremindthenaturalizationofficerorsupervisorthatyouhavesubmittedCODswithinformationonthecaseandwhythatissufficient.IfUSCIStriestoaskaboutcontactsoutsideofthestatutoryperiod,bepreparedtoexplainhowthecasedoesnotbarGMCandwhyitisnotrelevanttocurrentGMC.BringwithyouasmuchevidenceofpositiveGMCaspossible,includinganynewdocumentationyouhavegatheredsincesubmittingtheapplication.Thismayalsohelpyouarguethat,withclearevidenceofreform,pastcriminalhistoryshouldnotbeusedtodenyindiscretion.



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TIPSONDELAYSINADJUDICATIONORREQUESTSFOREVIDENCE(RFEs):

Itisnotuncommonforapplicantswithvirtuallyanycriminalhistory–includingcontactsoutsideofthestatutoryperiod–toreceiveRFEsorexperienceunusuallylongprocessingtimesfortheirapplications.TheBenjaminN.CardozoLawSchoolImmigrationJusticeclinichasproducedausefulpracticeadvisoryonhandlingthesecases.SeeHandlingaComplexorDelayedNaturalizationApplication:AdministrativeInquiriesand8USC§1447(b)Relief,availableathttp://bit.ly/2qcJIcq.TheadvisoryalsoincludessamplecoverlettersandaresponsetoanRFE.

WARNINGCLIENTSABOUTNEWLAWENFORCEMENTCONTACTSWITHAPPLICATIONPENDING:

Whenyoufiletheapplication,askyourclienttotellyouiftheyhaveanylawenforcementcontactswhiletheapplicationispendingandatanytimebeforetheoath,asthismaycreateissues.See8CFR§316.10(a)(1)(“Anapplicantfornaturalizationbearstheburdenofdemonstratingthat,duringthestatutorilyprescribedperiod,heorshehasbeenandcontinuestobeapersonofgoodmoralcharacter.Thisincludestheperiodbetweentheexaminationandtheadministrationoftheoathofallegiance.”).Yourclientwillberequiredtofilloutaquestionnaire,FormN-445,priortotheoathceremony.ThequestionsarebroaderthantheN-400andincludeanyarrestspost-interview,andfalsehoodcanprovideabasisforcriminalconvictionforunlawfulprocurementofnaturalizationaswellasdenaturalization.

FORMOREINFORMATION,CONNECTWITHIDP

CALL:212-725-6422(voicemailline)EMAIL:[email protected]:immdefense.orgGETLEGALADVICE:immdefense.org/webformGETOURNEWSLETTER:immdefense.org/about/newsletterDONATE:immdefense.org/donateIllustrationbyBishakhSom



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Lawyers’NaturalizationChecklistforCriminalHistoryIssues

Note:Thisisforcriminalissuesonly.Youmustseparatelyanalyzeothereligibilityrequirements.STEPS CHECKIFCOMPLETEConductthoroughintaketounderstandfullcriminalhistory,includingarrestsanddismissals.Encourageclienttobehonestandcomplete.

Collectcertificatesofdispositionfromclientforeveryarrest.RequestDeclinetoProsecutelettersifchargesdroppedbyDistrictAttorney.Ifclientdoesnothavedocuments,explainhowtoobtainthem.

Createatimelineofclient’simmigrationandcriminalhistory.

Conductindividuallegalresearchtodetermineifclientiscriminallydeportable.[INA§§237,101(a)(43)]

- Ifdeportable:counselclientastoconsequencesofapplication,includinglikelihoodofdetentionandremovalproceedings.

- Ifnotdeportable,movetonextstep.

Assesswhetherclientisbarredfromestablishinggoodmoralcharacter(GMC).[8CFR§316.10]

- IfnotdeportablebutbarredfromprovingGMC:explainthatUSCISwilldenytheapplication.Counselclientastowhenconviction(s)willbeoutsideofGMCperiodandencouragehim/hertoreassessthepossibilitieswithalawyeratthattime.

- Ifnotdeportableandnotbarred,movetonextstep.

Assesshowcriminallegalcontactsmayimpactdiscretionarydecision.- Encourageclienttogatherpositiveevidenceofgoodmoral

character,especiallyifcriminallegalcontact(s)withintheGMCperiod.Counselclientastolikelihoodofsuccessatthistime,withconsiderationforissueslikecost.

FilloutN-400.Discloseallpriorarrests,citationsandconvictions.Includeonlybasicinformationaboutthelawenforcementcontactsandattachcertificatesofdisposition.

Warnclienttoreportanynewlawenforcementcontactstoyouwhileapplicationispendinganduntils/heisswornin.

Prepareyourclientforthenaturalizationinterview,keepinganswerssimpleandavoidingproblematicadmissions.Attendnaturalizationinterviewwithyourclient.

Troubleshootissuescarefully.RespondtoRequestsforEvidence.BepreparedtocontactUSCISifadjudicationofapplicationdelayedbecauseofcriminalconvictions.