Can felons get a green card?
Asked by: Dr. Amina Boyle | Last update: June 14, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (24 votes)
It is possible to get a green card with a criminal history. However, your chances may depend on if the type of crime you have been convicted of is permissible under United States immigration law. Serious crimes can prevent you from becoming a lawful permanent resident leading to deportation.
What disqualifies you from getting a green card?
A criminal record can be a significant hurdle in getting a green card. Certain crimes, classified as “inadmissible offenses,” can disqualify you. These include crimes of moral turpitude, such as theft or fraud, as well as drug-related crimes, prostitution, and violent crimes.
Does felony affect immigration status?
A conviction for an aggravated felony can lead to deportation without the possibility of multiple forms of relief, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. Controlled Substance Violations: Any conviction related to illegal drugs can have a direct impact on immigration status.
How long after a felony can you apply for citizenship?
In most cases, they will need to wait for five years after the date of the crime before applying for citizenship, or possibly three years in some situations. USCIS retains the discretion to deny your application if it feels that your criminal record shows that you do not have good moral character.
Which crimes can be waived to get a U.S. visa or green card?
- a crime of moral turpitude (CIMT)
- prostitution.
- unlawful commercialized vice whether or not related to prostitution.
- simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.
Can you get a green card if you are convicted of a crime?
Can a convicted felon get a green card?
It is possible to get a green card with a criminal history. However, your chances may depend on if the type of crime you have been convicted of is permissible under United States immigration law. Serious crimes can prevent you from becoming a lawful permanent resident leading to deportation.
What crimes does immigration not forgive?
California courts can decide whether to deport immigrants convicted of the following crimes: Aggravated felonies; High speed chases from immigration checkpoints; and. Failure to register as a sex offender.
Can you lose your U.S. citizenship if you commit a felony?
If they commit a felony will this revoke their citizenship? No, once someone has become a naturalized citizen, they have all the rights that other U.S. citizens have. This includes being a permanent citizen, and, according to the law, their citizenship cannot be taken away.
Can a felon get a passport after 7 years?
For some crimes like drug trafficking, a 5-10 year waiting period may be required before getting a passport. This allows for a “cooling off” period to elapse. Other felony convictions don't have defined waiting periods. But typically, the longer it's been since finishing your sentence, the better chances of approval.
What is a disqualifying criminal history for immigration?
You have been convicted of or admitted to a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT), such as fraud. You spent 180 days or more in jail or prison for any crime. You committed any crime related to illegal drugs other than a single offense involving 30 grams or less of marijuana.
Can felons immigrate?
Under U.S. immigration law, being convicted of an “aggravated felony” will make you ineligible to receive a green card.
Can a deported felon return to US?
Once you have been deported, the United States government will bar you from returning for five, ten, or 20 years, or even permanently. Generally speaking, most deportees carry a 10-year ban. The exact length of time depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding your deportation.
How far back does the USCIS background check go?
Usually this is the five years before you applied, or three years if you're applying for citizenship on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. You will also need to give a statement under oath about any criminal background you have in the period of good moral character.
Who is not eligible for a green card?
If you are currently in removal proceedings, you are ineligible to apply for a green card from within the United States. If you originally entered the United States on a K-1 fiancé(e) visa sponsored by a different partner, but did not marry that person, you generally won't be able to apply for a marriage green card.
What crimes affect the green card?
Under the INA, an immigrant waiver is available for most crimes. However, no waiver is permitted for murder, criminal acts involving torture, or drug trafficking offenses. Individuals who are already in the U.S. and convicted of certain crimes are subject to deportation.
Can an immigrant marry a felon?
Although there are no laws specifically forbidding such marriages, the criminal background could however affect the visa application process. If the sponsor is a police officer and the spouse is a criminal, the USCIS background check process could closely examine the application.
Can you fly with a felony charge?
Can Convicted Felons Travel? Yes, but it depends on your country of citizenship. If you're a US citizen, then yes. You can travel to most countries worldwide as long as you have a passport and a visa (if necessary).
Can a felon join the military?
Generally, felons and those with several convictions can't join the Army, but waivers are available in some cases. The offenses and moral behavior-related issues that cannot be waived include: If you are under civil restraint, including parole, confinement, or probation.
Can a felon go on a cruise?
Cruise Line Background Checks
As a result, you could be denied boarding if you are a sex offender or have a violent felony conviction on your record, such as for armed robbery.
Can you become a U.S. citizen after a felony?
Permanent Bars to US Citizenship
While there are temporary bars to US citizenship, there are also permanent bars that would prevent you from gaining US citizenship entirely. For example, if you were convicted of murder or an aggravated felony on or after November 29, 1990, you are not eligible to become a US citizen.
Can I leave the US with a felony?
According to USA Today, most felons can get a passport without a problem. This is assuming a person is not currently awaiting trial, on probation or parole or otherwise banned from leaving the country.
Can a U.S. citizen with a felony get a passport?
Most convicted felons in the US can obtain a passport after completing their sentence. That said, certain felony convictions can still disqualify you from getting a passport. Other reasons for being denied a US passport include failing to pay child support or having significant outstanding federal tax debts.
What crimes can get a green card holder deported?
- Termination of conditional permanent resident status;
- Knowingly helping someone enter into the United States illegally;
- Committing marriage fraud;
- Committing crimes of moral turpitude, including murder, rape, incest, kidnapping, theft, or fraud;
What are 2 negatives of immigration?
Immigration causes overpopulation. Immigration creates a huge gap between the rich and poor. Immigrants bring in diseases. Immigration is expensive.
What makes you inadmissible for a green card?
Any violation of any laws, foreign or domestic, relating to illegal drugs can be a ground of inadmissibility. 3. Multiple Criminal Convictions. Any person convicted of two or more crimes is inadmissible if the person was sentenced to five or more total years in prison (counting the sentences in the aggregate).