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I was convicted for possesion with intent to distribute cds,I recently got my record expunged.Can I become a citizen?

Asked in Irvington, NJ - 4 months

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Attorney Answers (7)

Dean P Murray

Dean P Murray

Hoboken Immigration Attorney

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. You owe it to yourself to contact an immigration lawyer, whether myself or one of my colleagues. If you appreciate the time spent preparing this answer, kindly consider marking it BEST ANSWER or HELPFUL. Also, please be sure to read my disclaimer below. Good luck to you.

Dean P. Murray
The Murray Law Firm
560 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
T: (201)875-2600
F: (201)549-8700
Mr. Murray's response is NOT legal advice and does NOT create an attorney-client relationship. You should NOT rely... more
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Benjamin G Kelsen

Benjamin G Kelsen

Newark Criminal Defense Attorney

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. You need to speak to an immigration attorney.
Benjamin G. Kelsen IF YOU LIKE THIS ANSWER PLEASE INDICATE YOUR APPRECIATION BY SELECTING IT AS "BEST ANSWER."... more
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Yolanda Navarrete

Yolanda Navarrete

North Bergen Personal Injury Lawyer

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. Expungement will not help you in Immigration matters most of the times. A review of the court disposition and all your facts is necessary to determine if you could naturalize.
Please be advised my answers to questions does not constitute legal advise and you should not rely on it, due to... more
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Douglas Holbrook

Douglas Holbrook

San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney

Answered 4 months ago. Now that you have successfully expunged your record, your question now needs to directed to an experienced immigration attorney.
Douglas Holbrook
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Mark M Cheser

Mark M Cheser

Union Criminal Defense Attorney

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. You need to speak to an immigration attorney. Try Harlan York profiled on AVVO. He is in Newark. The expungement will not hide the conviction from Immigration. But I do not know if it changes your status.
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Eric M. Mark

Eric M. Mark

Newark Criminal Defense Attorney

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. The expungement has no effect on immigration. You need to speak with an immigration lawyer and provide more information about the conviction.
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Rosa L Barreca

Rosa L Barreca

Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorney

Licensed in NJ

Answered 4 months ago. In applying for citizenship, you have the burden of proving you are a person of "good moral character." Some convictions, particularly drug convictions, will bar you from being able to show this. Not to scare you, but certain convictions could even trigger deportation if the officer looking at your citizenship application decides to send your file over to the deportation office. Generally, immigration will look into the past 5 years preceding your application but they may look further. Expunged records make no difference for immigration purposes. People with NO criminal history may be able to handle a citizenship application on their own but with a situation like yours, I highly recommend you contact an attorney. Our office handles BOTH immigration and criminal defense Feel free to contact us for an evaluation.
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