Demonstrate a Lack of Good Moral Character
Other offenses may be temporary bars to
naturalization. Temporary bars prevent an • Any crime against a person with intent to harm.
applicant from qualifying for citizenship
• Any crime against property or the Government that involves “fraud” or
evil intent.
for a certain period of time after the
•
offense.
Two or more crimes for which the aggregate sentence was 5 years or
more.
• Violating any controlled substance law of the United States, any State,
The “Application for Naturalization” (Form
or any foreign country.
N-400) asks several questions about crimes. • Habitual drunkenness.
You should report all offenses that you have • Illegal gambling.
committed including any that have been
• Prostitution.
expunged (removed from your record) and
• Polygamy (marriage to more than one person at the same time).
any that happened before your 18th
•
birthday. If you do not tell USCIS about
Lying to gain immigration benefits.
these offenses and we find out about them,
• Failing to pay court-ordered child support or alimony payments.
you may be denied naturalization (even
• Confinement in jail, prison, or similar institution for which the total
confinement was 180 days or more during the past 5 years (or 3 years if
if the original offense was not a crime for
you are applying based on your marriage to a United States citizen).
which your case would have been denied).
• Failing to complete any probation, parole, or suspended sentence before
you apply for naturalization.
If you have been arrested or convicted of a
• Terrorist acts.
crime, you must send a certified copy of the • Persecution of anyone because of race, religion, national origin, political arrest report, court disposition, sentencing,
opinion, or social group.
and any other relevant documents, including
any countervailing evidence concerning
the circumstances of your arrest and/or
conviction that you would like USCIS to
consider. Note that unless a traffic incident
was alcohol or drug related, you do not need
to submit documentation for traffic fines and
incidents that did not involve an actual arrest
if the only penalty was a fine of less than
$500 and/or points on your driver’s license.
A Guide to Naturalization
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