Can I File for Adjustment of Status if I’ve Been Arrested?

To obtain your green card there are complicated requirements you must meet, and you should consult with an immigration attorney if you are thinking about applying for adjustment of status. One of the requirements to obtain a Green Card is that you must prove “good moral character.” The USCIS officer can consider any prior criminal charges against you, even if they did not result in a conviction in their judgment of good moral character. An arrest can make your adjustment of status application much more difficult, which is why it is very risky to apply for adjustment of status alone.

An immigration attorney can help collect evidence on your side and argue your case to the immigration official. Without an experienced immigration attorney, your application could be denied, or you could even be deported. If you’ve been arrested and you’re looking to obtain a Green Card, you should hire an immigration attorney to help. Otherwise, you risk denial of your Green Card or even deportation. Reach out to me and I would be more than happy to help you with your immigration case.

We also have a criminal defense attorney, so the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson can help defend your criminal case as well. If you’re not a citizen and you’re charged with a crime, hiring a criminal defense attorney who also knows immigration is critical and will give you the best chance of being able to remain in this country.