If you are a U.S. Permanent Resident, you have to be extra careful about things citizens don’t worry about. One example is getting stopped for a DUI.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) takes a very dim view of DUI and DWI arrests. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in some cases may be considered an aggravated felony for immigration purposes, even though a local or state court would classify it as a misdemeanor.
Other crimes of violence include rape, drug trafficking, racketeering and fraud of $10,000 or more. Any crime of violence that results in a prison term of one or more years will be considered an aggravated felony and grounds for deportation.
It is not a crime to drink alcohol. But if the immigration service decides you have made a lifestyle of heavy drinking – for example, based on arrests for domestic violence – you will have to demonstrate you have resolved your drinking problem to qualify for citizenship.
If you have ever been arrested for a DUI or DWI you will need to see an immigration attorney for a full check of your record before applying for citizenship. For a complimentary fifteen minute phone consultation, simply click the CONTACT button on this homepage and send your inquiry to a licensed attorney.
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