Domestic violence is an issue that affects many communities across the United States. Unfortunately, those who are trying to become naturalized as U.S. citizens may face some challenges if they are arrested and convicted of domestic violence (or certain other types of crimes). If you were arrested or charged with domestic violence, it’s important to understand how this could affect your application for citizenship. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest and conviction, a domestic violence charge may make it harder for you to become a U.S citizen, or even block your application from going forward. Here’s what you need to know about a domestic violence conviction and its potential impact on your citizenship application.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse in an intimate relationship such as a marriage, dating relationship, or other type of relationship where there is an expectation of a continuing emotional or financial commitment. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological, including threats and coercion. Domestic violence may be one episode, or it may become a pattern of controlling and harmful behavior. Domestic violence does not just refer to physical violence. Other types of abuse can also be part of a pattern of domestic violence, including threats, coercion, and intimidation.
How could a DV charge affect your citizenship application?
If you were arrested or convicted of domestic violence, this could be grounds for denying your application for citizenship. If you are charged with domestic violence, you may also face difficulties during your naturalization process. The immigration laws have very strict rules about who can become a U.S. citizen. If you charged with or convicted of a crime, you will have to prove that you have been a person of good moral character during the relevant time frame of your application. Since a domestic violence conviction will be considered a crime involving moral turpitude, it could make it harder for you to prove good moral character and obtain citizenship.
What if I was only charged with domestic violence?
Even if you are charged with domestic violence but never convicted of the crime, you will still have to disclose this information on your citizenship application. If USCIS finds out about the charge through your application, you may face difficulty completing your application for citizenship. If you were charged but not convicted of domestic violence, you could explain the circumstances in your application for citizenship. Depending on the circumstances, it is possible that the charge could be dismissed. If the charge was dismissed but you were still tried, you should explain the circumstances in your application.
What Does USCIS Mean By Good Moral Character?
If you have been convicted of a crime or charged with a crime, you will need to show that you have been a person of good moral character for the last five years. The idea of good moral character is intended to protect the interests of the U.S. by ensuring that only those who are trustworthy and law-abiding are allowed to become U.S. citizens. You will have to show that you meet the standards of good moral character by explaining any criminal convictions or arrests on your application for citizenship. You will also have to provide any additional information that the immigration officer requests in order to assess your moral character.
How Can I Prove Good Moral Character?
You can prove that you have been a person of good moral character by providing evidence of your good deeds and positive contributions to society. You can do this by submitting evidence of your stable employment history, volunteer activities, educational achievements, community service, honorable military service, and/or family ties to show that you are a good person. If you have a criminal conviction, it will be more difficult to prove good moral character. However, it is still possible to become a U.S. citizen with a criminal record, as long as you can prove good moral character. If you have a domestic violence conviction, the process of proving good moral character will be more difficult. You will need to provide more evidence of your good deeds and positive contributions to society than you would if you had no criminal record.
What If I Still Want to Apply for Citizenship After a DV Charge or Conviction?
If you still want to apply for citizenship after a domestic violence charge or conviction, it is important to understand that your application may take longer to process. The immigration officer conducting your interview will likely have more questions for you in order to determine if you are still a person of good moral character.
Conclusion
If you have been arrested or convicted of domestic violence, you need to understand the possible impact on your citizenship application. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest and conviction, a domestic violence charge or conviction could make it harder for you to become a U.S citizen, or even block your application from going forward. To become a U.S citizen, you will have to prove that you have been a person of good moral character during the relevant time frame of your application. To prove good moral character, you will need to provide evidence of your good deeds and positive contributions to society.
