Does domestic violence affect citizenship?
A conviction for a crime of domestic violence or related offense can subject a non-U.S. citizen to deportation (removal). In some cases, it can also make an immigrant inadmissible for re-entry to the United States and ineligible for U.S. citizenship or a green card.
Is it a crime to marry someone for citizenship?
It is a federal offense to commit marriage fraud, or to “enter into a marriage for the purpose of evading the immigration laws.” This means that a marriage not for love, but for the purpose of obtaining citizenship for one of the spouses, is not legal and may result in one or both parties being punished.
What happens if you divorce an immigrant?
If the immigrant is already a permanent resident when the marriage ends, divorce will have no effect on the person’s immigration status. However, if and when the person applies for naturalized U.S. citizenship, USCIS could take another look at whether the marriage was real in the first place, as described next.
Can you leave the country with a domestic violence charge?
Under current immigration laws, a legal resident may be deported if he or she pleads guilty to or is convicted of a domestic violence charge. Even if you aren’t deported, a domestic violence charge could prevent you from re-entering the United States if you ever leave the country.
Is domestic violence considered a crime of moral turpitude?
Domestic Violence and Crimes of Moral Turpitude Domestic violence is also considered a crime of moral turpitude by the United States government. Any non-citizen convicted of a crime of moral turpitude within five years of being admitted to the United States is subject to deportation.
How will divorce or separation affect my immigration status?
A divorce may make it harder to become a permanent resident, but it is still possible. If you already have a green card and are a permanent resident at the time of the divorce, the divorce should not change your status. However, the divorce may force you to wait longer to apply for naturalization.