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U.S. green card eligibility • Criminal history and immigration records

Does a Criminal Record Affect a Green Card? Convictions, Arrests and Immigration Rules

Yes. A criminal record can affect eligibility for a U.S. green card, but having been arrested or convicted does not automatically mean an application will be denied.

The outcome depends on the exact criminal offense, applicable law, conviction or disposition, sentence, number of offenses, and immigration circumstances. Some crimes can make a person legally inadmissible, while others may not prevent permanent residence.

Even if charges were dismissed, a conviction was expunged, or a criminal case occurred outside the United States, the applicant may still need to disclose the incident and submit official records.

Official USCIS Green Card Application Criminal Inadmissibility Rules Check Which Offenses Matter
Legal-information notice: This independent guide is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security or immigration courts. Criminal inadmissibility can have serious legal consequences. The information below is educational, not a determination of any person’s eligibility or a substitute for advice from a qualified U.S. immigration attorney.
Short answer: Can you get a green card with a criminal record?

Possibly. Many people with an old arrest, dismissed charge or certain minor convictions may remain eligible for permanent residence. However, crimes involving moral turpitude, controlled-substance offenses, multiple convictions meeting specified sentence thresholds, and certain other conduct can trigger grounds of inadmissibility under INA § 212(a)(2), 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2). Some grounds have exceptions or discretionary waivers; others do not have a general immigrant waiver.

The immigration-law test

Which Criminal Records Can Affect Green Card Approval?

When determining whether someone can become a lawful permanent resident, U.S. immigration authorities generally examine whether the applicant is admissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

INA § 212(a)(2) contains several criminal and related grounds of inadmissibility. These rules apply to qualifying conduct both inside and outside the United States.

A criminal conviction is not required for every ground. Certain legally valid admissions or specific conduct can sometimes trigger inadmissibility without a criminal conviction.

Criminal history or offense Potential green card impact Important qualification
Crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) May make the applicant inadmissible The statutory offense and possible juvenile or petty-offense exceptions must be examined
Controlled-substance violation Can trigger a serious inadmissibility ground The general INA § 212(h) waiver is narrowly limited for controlled substances
Two or more convictions with aggregate confinement sentences of at least five years A separate criminal inadmissibility ground may apply The rule concerns sentences to confinement, not simply the number of charges
Illicit drug trafficking May create a substantial inadmissibility barrier INA § 212(a)(2)(C) can apply based on a legally sufficient reason to believe trafficking occurred
Certain prostitution and commercialized-vice conduct Specific statutory inadmissibility grounds may apply A conviction is not always required
Arrest with no conviction Can require disclosure and supporting evidence An arrest alone does not necessarily establish criminal inadmissibility
Expunged or deferred-adjudication case May still count as an immigration conviction Federal immigration law defines conviction differently from some state laws
Do not classify a crime based only on its ordinary name.

For example, not every theft, assault, DUI or fraud charge has the same immigration consequences. Attorneys often must examine the exact statute, its elements, the record of conviction and applicable federal immigration decisions before determining whether a legal ground applies.

The governing criminal inadmissibility statute is 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(2).

Arrested but not convicted

Does an Arrest Without Conviction Affect a Green Card?

An arrest without a conviction does not automatically prevent someone from receiving a green card.

For example, an applicant may have been arrested because of mistaken identity, investigated without charges, acquitted at trial or charged in a case later dismissed by the prosecutor.

Those situations are legally different from a conviction.

However, U.S. immigration applications may ask about arrests, citations, criminal charges, detention, convictions and other criminal conduct. The exact questions and document requirements depend on the current form and application type.

What if the criminal charges were dismissed?

A dismissal can be favorable evidence that the case did not end in conviction. But applicants should obtain the official dismissal order or certified final disposition rather than relying on an online search showing no conviction.

In some cases, a dismissal entered after a plea and court-ordered punishment may still satisfy the federal immigration definition of conviction. The circumstances of the dismissal therefore matter.

Example: Arrest followed by an unconditional dismissal

A person was arrested for alleged theft. The prosecutor later dismissed the charge without a guilty plea, finding of guilt or court-imposed punishment.

Potential immigration significance: The arrest does not automatically establish a conviction or criminal inadmissibility. The applicant may nevertheless need the certified dismissal and arrest documents. Other facts, conduct-based grounds or application requirements could still be relevant.

What should the applicant obtain?

Request the arrest record where required, the final court disposition and any official confirmation that no charges were filed. For a case that never reached court, ask the police agency or prosecutor whether it can issue an official no-charges or no-record statement.

Minor offenses and exceptions

Can You Get a Green Card With a Misdemeanor?

Yes, some applicants with misdemeanor convictions may still qualify for a green card. But the word misdemeanor does not determine the immigration outcome.

Federal immigration authorities examine the exact statute and its legal consequences. A misdemeanor involving controlled substances, for example, can be more serious for immigration purposes than its state-level classification might suggest.

The petty-offense exception for one CIMT

One important provision is the petty-offense exception under INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II).

For a single qualifying crime involving moral turpitude, the exception may apply if:

  • The applicant committed only one crime relevant to this exception.
  • The maximum possible imprisonment for that offense did not exceed one year.
  • If convicted, the actual sentence imposed did not exceed six months of imprisonment.

The sentence requirement concerns the imposed sentence, not merely the number of days the person physically spent in jail. A suspended portion of a sentence may still matter.

Example: One qualifying minor theft conviction

An applicant has a single theft conviction. The offense has a maximum possible penalty of one year of imprisonment, and the court imposed a sentence of three months.

Potential immigration significance: The petty-offense exception may prevent that particular CIMT from making the applicant inadmissible, assuming all other requirements are satisfied. The offense must still be disclosed when required.

A misdemeanor is not automatically a petty offense.

An offense punishable by more than one year can fail the exception even when the person received only probation. Multiple offenses can also change the analysis. Have an immigration attorney examine the actual statute and sentencing record.

What if the crime happened before age 18?

INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(I) provides a separate exception for one qualifying CIMT committed before age 18 when the offense occurred and the applicant was released from any resulting confinement more than five years before the relevant immigration application or admission dates.

Juvenile adjudications are also treated differently from ordinary adult convictions, but certain conduct and related facts may still affect immigration eligibility. The juvenile exception is not a blanket rule that every offense committed before age 18 is harmless.

Serious criminal convictions

Does a Felony Conviction Prevent You From Getting a Green Card?

A felony conviction can create significant immigration problems. It may affect admissibility, discretionary decisions, waiver eligibility or, for an existing permanent resident, deportability.

However, there is no simple rule that every offense called a felony under state law creates exactly the same green card consequence.

Immigration law uses separate categories, including:

  • Crimes involving moral turpitude.
  • Controlled-substance violations.
  • Multiple convictions meeting a specified confinement-sentence threshold.
  • Aggravated felonies under the federal immigration definition.
  • Certain conduct-based grounds of inadmissibility.

An aggravated felony is a specific immigration-law classification. It does not always correspond to a state offense labeled an aggravated felony or even to an offense that the state classifies as a felony.

The aggravated-felony category is particularly important for people who already hold lawful permanent residence because it can create serious removal consequences and restrict relief.

Obtain legal advice before accepting a criminal plea.

A plea that seems favorable under state criminal law can have severe federal immigration consequences. If a criminal case is pending, the criminal defense lawyer and an immigration attorney should review the proposed plea, immigration offense classification and sentence before the plea is entered.

Controlled substances and marijuana

Can Drug Charges or Marijuana Convictions Affect a Green Card?

Yes. Controlled-substance offenses are among the most consequential criminal-history issues for green card applicants.

INA § 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) can make a person inadmissible based on a qualifying controlled-substance conviction or legally valid admission.

Separate rules apply to people whom immigration officials have sufficient reason to believe participated in illicit drug trafficking. This ground does not necessarily require a criminal conviction.

Does legal marijuana use under state law protect a green card applicant?

No. The fact that a state permits marijuana possession or sales under state law does not automatically eliminate potential consequences under federal immigration law.

The applicable federal controlled-substance rules, the actual conduct and the exact legal record must be examined.

The narrow 30-gram marijuana waiver

INA § 212(h) authorizes a discretionary waiver for certain criminal inadmissibility grounds. For controlled-substance violations, its ordinary coverage is limited to a single offense of simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.

This is not a universal exception making the conviction harmless, and it does not automatically waive other drug offenses or trafficking grounds.

Example: One small marijuana possession conviction

An applicant was convicted of a single simple-possession offense involving less than 30 grams of marijuana.

Potential immigration significance: The applicant may be within the narrow controlled-substance category potentially eligible for a discretionary INA § 212(h) waiver. Additional waiver requirements must still be established.

Example: Drug trafficking conviction

An applicant has a conviction related to distributing controlled substances for profit.

Potential immigration significance: The case can raise serious criminal and trafficking grounds, and the ordinary single-small-marijuana-possession waiver does not resolve them. Legal representation is essential.

DUI and driving offenses

Does a DUI or Drunk Driving Conviction Affect a Green Card?

A single ordinary DUI conviction does not automatically trigger the same criminal inadmissibility consequences as every crime involving moral turpitude.

However, DUI cases can still affect a green card application depending on their precise circumstances, including other crimes involved, injury or dangerous conduct, repeated incidents and relevant medical or substance-related issues.

For example, a DUI involving a controlled substance may raise different issues from an alcohol-only DUI. Multiple alcohol-related arrests or a related medical determination may also require additional review.

Example: One alcohol-related DUI

A person has one prior DUI conviction involving alcohol, completed the sentence and has no other known criminal history.

Potential immigration significance: A basic DUI offense is not automatically a categorical bar to a green card. The exact offense, circumstances, records and other admissibility requirements still need review.

Applicants should bring the final court disposition, proof of sentence completion and other documentation required by their immigration process.

Expungement and older criminal history

Do Expunged, Sealed or Old Criminal Records Affect Green Cards?

They can. This is an area where state criminal-record law and federal immigration law differ significantly.

States may seal or expunge a case so that it no longer appears in an ordinary employer background check or public criminal case search.

But an expungement or sealing order does not automatically erase the underlying conviction for federal immigration purposes.

What if my criminal record was expunged?

Federal immigration law generally continues to recognise a qualifying conviction that was expunged as a rehabilitative measure. A conviction vacated because of a substantive or procedural legal defect may require a different analysis.

Therefore, applicants should not assume an expunged record can be omitted from an immigration form.

What if the conviction happened 20 years ago?

An old conviction can still matter. Criminal inadmissibility does not generally disappear simply because 10, 15 or 20 years have passed.

However, passage of time may be relevant to certain statutory exceptions or waivers. For example, one route under INA § 212(h) considers specified inadmissible activity that occurred more than 15 years before the immigration application, along with rehabilitation and other requirements.

Do not rely on a clean public background check.

A state public-search system may omit sealed records, old cases or incomplete reporting. USCIS and consular officers may still require disclosure and supporting documents. The applicant’s legal duty is determined by the immigration form and applicable law, not by whether a commercial website displays the record.

Federal definition of conviction

What Counts as a Conviction Under U.S. Immigration Law?

INA § 101(a)(48)(A), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(48)(A), provides a federal definition of conviction.

Generally, a conviction exists when a court enters a formal judgment of guilt.

A case can also qualify when formal adjudication is withheld but:

  • A judge or jury found the person guilty, or the person entered a guilty or no-contest plea, or admitted sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt; and
  • The judge ordered some form of punishment, penalty or restraint on the person’s liberty.

Why deferred adjudication can be risky

Some states allow defendants to enter a plea, serve probation or complete community service and later have the criminal charge dismissed.

Although the state court might not record a conventional conviction at the end of that process, the initial plea and imposed conditions may still satisfy the immigration definition.

Example: Guilty plea followed by deferred adjudication

A defendant pleads guilty to a controlled-substance charge. The court withholds formal judgment, orders probation and later dismisses the case after successful completion.

Potential immigration significance: The plea and court-imposed punishment can constitute a conviction under INA § 101(a)(48)(A), notwithstanding the later dismissal.

The legal effect depends on what actually happened in the criminal proceeding. Obtain the plea documents, sentencing orders, deferred-adjudication agreement and final disposition for a qualified legal review.

What immigration officers may request

What Criminal Records Are Required for a Green Card Application?

The documents differ depending on whether the person is applying for adjustment of status inside the United States or an immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Use the current official form instructions for your specific category.

Applying inside the U.S.: Form I-485

Form I-485 is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Its instructions address how applicants must document applicable criminal charges, arrests and convictions.

For relevant incidents, required evidence may include:

  • Certified arrest reports or law-enforcement records.
  • Criminal complaints, indictments or charging documents.
  • Certified court dispositions.
  • Plea agreements and sentencing orders.
  • Proof of probation, parole or alternative program completion.
  • Documents relating to sealed, expunged, vacated or otherwise removed cases.
  • An official explanation when specified records cannot be obtained.

Do not assume the same document list applies to every event. Follow the current Form I-485 instructions, including any stated exceptions for particular minor offenses.

USCIS Form I-485 and Instructions

Applying from abroad: Consular processing

People seeking immigrant visas outside the United States generally complete Form DS-260 and provide civil documents to the National Visa Center and ultimately the U.S. embassy or consulate.

The Department of State requires people convicted of crimes to obtain certified court and applicable prison records even if they later received a pardon, amnesty or other clemency.

Applicants may also need police certificates from their country of nationality, current residence, earlier countries of residence and places where they were arrested, depending on residence duration and other State Department criteria.

When is a police certificate required?

Situation Common immigrant-visa requirement
Applicant aged 16 or older who lived in the country of nationality for more than six months Police certificate from the country of nationality
Applicant aged 16 or older living in a different country for more than six months Police certificate from the current country of residence
Previous residence in another country for 12 months or longer while aged 16 or older Police certificate from that former country of residence
Arrest in another country Police certificate from the relevant location under State Department instructions, regardless of residence duration
Time living in the United States The State Department does not require a U.S. police certificate for that U.S. residence period in the ordinary immigrant-visa civil-document process

The exact issuing authority and document availability differ by country. Use the State Department’s official reciprocity and civil-document pages.

Immigrant Visa Civil Documents Police Certificates by Country

Example: Green card applicant with an Indian criminal record

For immigrant visa applicants from India, the State Department’s India reciprocity page identifies the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as the relevant police document for Indian nationals aged 16 or older residing in India.

It identifies Regional Passport Offices as an issuing authority for qualifying applicants residing in India, while Indian passport holders living abroad generally use the relevant Indian diplomatic mission’s procedure.

A PCC is not necessarily a substitute for certified criminal court documents when the applicant was convicted of an offense.

Official U.S. Department of State Instructions for Indian Police Certificates

Potential immigration relief

Can You Get a Criminal Inadmissibility Waiver for a Green Card?

In some cases, yes. But waiver eligibility depends on the precise inadmissibility ground, applicant category, family relationships, case history and applicable law.

One important waiver is authorised by INA § 212(h). USCIS generally uses Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, for eligible applicants seeking certain waivers.

A waiver is not needed when a properly applicable statutory exception means the person is not inadmissible under that ground in the first place.

What does INA § 212(h) cover?

Depending on the circumstances, INA § 212(h) may provide relief for specified grounds involving:

  • Certain crimes involving moral turpitude.
  • Multiple qualifying criminal convictions.
  • Specified prostitution or commercialized-vice grounds.
  • A single offense of simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.
  • Certain other grounds expressly listed by the statute.

It does not generally waive every criminal inadmissibility ground, including the separate illicit drug trafficking ground.

What circumstances may support a waiver?

The law provides different eligibility routes. They can involve:

  • Qualifying criminal conduct that occurred more than 15 years earlier, together with rehabilitation and other statutory conditions.
  • Extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, son or daughter, where the relevant waiver provision applies.
  • Certain Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioning circumstances.
  • Other statutory criteria applicable to the specific ground.

Additional restrictions apply to some people who were previously admitted as lawful permanent residents. Violent or dangerous crimes may also face a substantially higher discretionary standard.

A waiver is never guaranteed.

Approval is discretionary even when an applicant meets the statutory eligibility threshold. Some criminal conduct cannot be waived under INA § 212(h). Do not file Form I-601 or assume it is appropriate without first identifying the exact inadmissibility ground.

USCIS Form I-601 State Department Waiver Rules

Already a permanent resident?

Can You Lose an Existing Green Card Because of a Criminal Record?

Yes. Someone who already has lawful permanent resident status may face immigration removal proceedings after certain criminal convictions or conduct.

This is a different legal question from whether a person seeking their first green card is admissible.

INA § 237(a)(2), 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(2), identifies criminal deportability grounds, including:

  • Specified crimes involving moral turpitude.
  • Two or more qualifying crimes involving moral turpitude that do not arise from a single scheme of criminal misconduct.
  • Aggravated-felony convictions under the INA.
  • Controlled-substance convictions, subject to statutory exceptions.
  • Specified firearm-related and domestic-violence-related offenses.

A permanent resident does not automatically lose their green card the moment an arrest is entered into a database. Whether a person is removable and whether relief is available require a legal determination under the relevant procedures.

Can a criminal record cause problems when returning to the United States?

Yes. Certain criminal grounds can affect how a returning lawful permanent resident is treated under the INA, including whether they are considered to be seeking admission.

Anyone with a potentially serious immigration-related conviction should obtain legal advice before international travel, rather than assuming that possession of an unexpired green card guarantees trouble-free reentry.

What about citizenship later?

Naturalization is another separate issue. The criminal record can affect the required good-moral-character determination or create other statutory bars.

Do not assume that a conviction becomes irrelevant merely because the person has already held a green card for several years.

Practical preparation checklist

What to Do Before Applying for a Green Card With a Criminal Record

  1. Make a complete list of prior incidents

    Identify arrests, charges, convictions, dismissed cases, deferred adjudications, diversions and incidents outside the United States. Include approximate dates and locations.

  2. Obtain the exact criminal statute for each charge

    The legal elements of the statute can be more important than the ordinary offense label. Preserve the version of the statute applicable when the offense occurred.

  3. Get certified court dispositions

    Request official proof of each final outcome, including dismissed and acquitted cases when applicable.

  4. Collect sentencing and completion records

    Obtain the judgment, sentence, probation records, proof of completed programs and related orders.

  5. Review official criminal-history reports

    Use your own FBI Identity History Summary, state repository or foreign police records where useful and legally accessible.

  6. Check the immigration effect before filing

    Have an experienced immigration attorney review the records and the relevant INA provisions. If criminal proceedings are ongoing, coordinate with criminal defense counsel.

  7. Identify the correct application and potential waiver route

    Determine whether you will use Form I-485 or consular processing, whether a criminal ground applies, whether an exception applies and whether any waiver is legally available.

  8. Answer immigration questions accurately

    Follow the exact wording of the current forms. Do not hide arrests or convictions merely because the case was old, dismissed or expunged. False statements may create separate immigration problems.

  9. Prepare for an interview or evidence request

    Keep copies of the relevant certified records, lawful translations, explanatory documents and any required attorney filings.

  10. Respond through official immigration channels

    If USCIS or a consulate requests additional evidence, respond using the designated procedure and deadline. Do not substitute an uncertified online background-check screenshot where an official court record is required.

Where to find qualified legal help

The U.S. Department of Justice maintains a list of recognised organisations and pro bono immigration legal service providers for qualifying matters. Applicants should seek a licensed attorney experienced in criminal immigration law or an appropriately accredited representative for the matter involved.

DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review — Legal Resources

Avoid preventable application problems

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Green Card With Criminal History

Mistake Why it creates a problem Better approach
Assuming a dismissed arrest does not need to be mentioned The immigration form may specifically request arrest information Read the current question and provide required disposition records
Treating a state expungement as automatic immigration relief A qualifying immigration conviction may remain Obtain the underlying court record and immigration-law review
Believing every misdemeanor is harmless Some misdemeanors trigger criminal inadmissibility Examine the statute, plea, maximum penalty and sentence
Using only a commercial background-check result The report may omit sealed cases or final dispositions Use official court and criminal-history records
Assuming marijuana is harmless because a state legalised it Federal immigration and controlled-substance rules differ Request advice about the exact offense and conduct
Believing marriage to a U.S. citizen overrides a criminal bar Family sponsorship does not automatically eliminate inadmissibility Evaluate the applicable ground, exception and waiver eligibility
Pleading guilty before checking immigration consequences A plea and court-ordered penalty can have lasting immigration effects Coordinate criminal and immigration counsel before resolution
Making an international trip with an unresolved removal-risk conviction Returning LPRs may face admissibility questions in specified circumstances Obtain a qualified legal assessment before travel

High-intent immigration questions

Does a Criminal Record Affect a Green Card? FAQs

1. Can I get a U.S. green card if I have a criminal record?

Possibly. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify every applicant. Eligibility depends on the specific offenses, immigration law, sentences, case dispositions and whether any applicable exceptions or waivers are available.

2. Will an arrest without conviction cause green card denial?

Not automatically. An arrest alone is not the same as a conviction. However, an applicant may need to disclose the arrest and submit police or court documents, and certain conduct-based inadmissibility grounds can apply without a conviction.

3. Can I get a green card with a misdemeanor conviction?

Some applicants can. A qualifying single crime involving moral turpitude may meet a petty-offense exception if the statutory maximum penalty was one year or less and the imposed imprisonment sentence was six months or less. Other misdemeanors, including certain controlled-substance offenses, require different analysis.

4. Does a felony automatically disqualify me from a green card?

No universal rule says every state-law felony has the same immigration outcome. Serious convictions can create substantial barriers, but the exact statutory offense, immigration classification, sentence and applicable inadmissibility grounds must be reviewed.

5. Does an expunged criminal record affect a green card?

It can. An expungement or sealing order does not necessarily eliminate a conviction for immigration purposes. Applicants should review the current application questions and obtain official documents about the original case.

6. Can a DUI conviction prevent green card approval?

A single ordinary alcohol-related DUI does not automatically create every criminal inadmissibility ground. The precise offense, other conduct, substance-related issues and any additional convictions may affect eligibility.

7. Do I have to report criminal cases from another country?

Immigration forms and consular procedures can require disclosure and documentation of foreign arrests, charges and convictions. The Department of State also requires specified foreign police certificates and certified court or prison records from immigrant visa applicants.

8. Can I apply for a green card if my criminal case is still pending?

A pending charge does not automatically determine the final immigration outcome, but it can complicate eligibility review and evidence requirements. Applicants should obtain case-specific legal advice because the final plea, conviction or disposition may materially change the immigration consequences.

9. Can a waiver help if my criminal record makes me inadmissible?

Sometimes. INA § 212(h) provides discretionary waivers for certain specified criminal inadmissibility grounds, subject to detailed requirements and exclusions. Form I-601 may be used when the applicant qualifies. Not every crime is waivable.

10. Does marriage to a U.S. citizen overcome a criminal record?

No. Marriage-based sponsorship does not automatically overcome criminal inadmissibility. A qualifying family relationship may be relevant to an available waiver, but the applicant must satisfy the applicable legal requirements.

11. Can someone lose a green card after a criminal conviction?

Yes. Certain offenses can create deportability grounds for a lawful permanent resident under INA § 237(a)(2). A conviction does not necessarily mean immediate automatic loss of status, but it may trigger immigration proceedings and restrictions on relief.

12. Where can I search my criminal history before applying?

Use the FBI Identity History Summary process for your own fingerprint-based FBI record, the appropriate state criminal-history repository, and the court clerk that handled each case. Foreign records should be obtained according to the U.S. Department of State’s country-specific civil-document instructions.

U.S. government sources

Official Green Card, Criminal Inadmissibility and Record Search Links

The following primary sources explain the governing immigration law, application instructions, waivers and official criminal record procedures.

Editorial and legal-information notice

This article was prepared using the Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services guidance, U.S. Department of State immigrant visa procedures, FBI criminal-history instructions and Department of Justice resources.

Immigration laws, agency policies, application editions and legal interpretations may change. The precise treatment of a criminal offense depends on its statute, facts where relevant, conviction and sentencing records, immigration category and controlling legal decisions.

For a case involving an arrest, conviction, pending prosecution, deferred adjudication or expunged record, consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney before submitting an application, entering a plea or making a potentially consequential international trip.

This independent guide does not provide an immigration eligibility determination, criminal-background report or legal representation.

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