What is the impact of a felony on citizenship?
Asked by: Malachi Hilpert | Last update: March 25, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)
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.
Does a felony affect your citizenship?
For example, if you have been convicted of an aggravated felony, you may be permanently barred from applying for citizenship. In other cases, you may need to wait five years to restart your “good moral character” period before you qualify to apply before USCIS.
How does a 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.
What crime can cause a citizen to lose citizenship?
Crimes related to terrorism and treason are among the most serious offenses that can result in the loss of citizenship. These acts are viewed as direct threats to national security and the nation's integrity.
Can felons change citizenship?
A criminal conviction may well make the situation much more difficult, especially if you don't already have a permanent legal residency status. So, basically, a US Citizen who has a criminal conviction and renounces their citizenship becomes NOT a US Citizen with a criminal conviction.
Understanding the Impact of Criminal Convictions on U.S. Citizenship Applications
What disqualifies you from US citizenship?
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 you become a permanent resident with a felony?
Aggravated Felony
You may be barred from applying for a green card if you've been convicted of a dangerous crime under United States federal law. Among the serious criminal convictions that are considered aggravated felonies are: Murder. Rape.
What are 3 ways a citizen can lose their citizenship?
You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you: Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions) Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.
Can a naturalized citizen be deported for a felony?
Can Naturalized US Citizens Be Deported for a Felony? A naturalized US citizen cannot be deported for breaking the law unless they break the law to become a US citizen or get convicted of treason. However, permanent residents of the US can get deported for committing certain crimes and felonies.
What is the most serious way to lose your citizenship in America?
Renunciation is the most unequivocal way in which a person can manifest an intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. The loss of nationality is a serious and irrevocable act.
Can you lose your green card if you have a felony?
Immigration officials may deport you or downgrade your status because of a felony. They even may do so for a non-felony conviction. But this can depend on your current status, the type of offense, and the specific facts surrounding your case. Crimes involving "moral turpitude" carry harsh consequences for non-citizens.
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.
Does a felony follow you to another country?
Many countries will do a criminal background check on people looking to enter their countries. If you get to the border, you may have to explain a felony record and other criminal offenses and criminal convictions if you want to enter the country.
How far back does a citizenship 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.
What makes you permanently ineligible for U.S. citizenship?
INA 315 states that “any alien who applies or has applied for exemption or discharge from training or service in the Armed Forces or in the National Security Training Corps of the United States on the ground that he is an alien and is or was relieved or discharged from such training or service on such ground, shall be ...
What happens if a non U.S. citizen commits a felony?
Regardless of their immigration status, noncitizens who have been convicted of an “aggravated felony” are prohibited from receiving most forms of relief that would spare them from deportation, including asylum, and from being readmitted to the United States at any time in the future.
Do felons lose their citizenship?
In general, a person will not lose their citizenship if convicted of a crime after they are naturalized. But it is possible to face civil “denaturalization” and removal from the country if the government can prove you lied about a crime committed before you became a citizen.
Does committing a felony affect your citizenship if so how?
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 you lose US citizenship naturalized?
If you become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, it is possible—although rare—for your citizenship to be removed and for you to be deported through the denaturalization process.
Can you lose your citizenship if you commit a crime?
A felony conviction can affect citizenship in two ways. 1) A naturalized US citizen can lose their citizenship if they concealed this criminal history during the naturalization process. 2) A citizen who is convicted of a felony may lose some of their rights while incarcerated as well as after their release.
Can you get U.S. citizenship back after renouncing?
As previously stated, persons contemplating renunciation of U.S. citizenship are reminded that renunciation is irrevocable, except as provided in Section 351(b) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1483), and cannot be cancelled or set aside absent a successful administrative or judicial appeal.
What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?
You need to be at least 18 years old, be a permanent resident with a green card for a least 5 years, 3 years if you are married to a U.S citizen. You must maintain continuous residence in the U.S., at least 3 months in California, and not have any trips outside the U.S. for 6 months or longer.
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.
Does felony affect green card?
Under U.S. immigration law, being convicted of an “aggravated felony” will make you ineligible to receive a green card.
Can you live with another felon?
The standard condition language for felons on probation says they must not communicate or interact with someone who has been convicted of a felony without first getting permission of the probation officer or a judge. In addition, terms of release or probation commonly prohibit felons from living together.