If you hope to get a permanent resident card in the future, these things can hurt your chances of becoming a resident or citizen.
- Drug trafficking (selling drugs, or possession for sale)
- Drug Abuse or Addiction
- A physical or mental condition that makes you a threat to yourself or others
- Violations of protective or “no-contact” orders
- Prostitution
- Smuggling people into the U.S.
- False claims to U.S. citizenship
- Voting
- Marrying for immigration purposes
- Hanging out with or joining groups that support violence
- Being a gang member or being labeled a gang member by the police.
Often, juvenile “delinquencies” do not create a problem for immigration cases. But, this is not always true. For example, if you are convicted as an adult but are under 18 years old, this conviction has the same immigration consequences as if you were over 18. Once you turn 18, criminal convictions can make it hard to become a permanent resident or citizen. The U.S. government could ALSO put you in deportation proceedings. If you have a juvenile or adult criminal record, talk to a lawyer.