DUI & Impact on citizenship

[ss1123]

Hello,

A colleague of mine recently got convicted of dui/wet reckless. 120 days of alcohol abuse program...etc

He got his GC last year in Oct 2004. He has the following questions:

How will this impact GC renewal in 2014
What are his chances of getting a citizenship? Say he applies after 5 yrs.
I have seen people say on this thread that it is better to wait 5yrs, does the 5yr wait start after he was convicted or after he has finished the sentence , including probation.

Anyone with dui, similar situation got approved

This is a first offence, no tickets etc

Thanks.

 

[stallion4949]

If all he has is one dui when he becomes eligible to apply for citizenship, he will be fine. But if he picks up any additional Dui's he will need to proceed with much caution.
There is no renewal of green card. Permanent residence is indefinite and he will maintain that status even if he never gets a replacement green card after his 10 yr status is expired. He may however face issues while travelling abroad if his evidence of PR status is expired. So the expiry on the green card expires the identification, not his status.

 

[gcardo]

I think it's 5 years after the dui itself (when he got arrested for it).

Green Card is not a problem. From what I remember, it was established by the supreme court that you cannot be deported for DUIs (even multiple ones -- which was the case presented in front of the supreme court).

The safest bet is to wait 5 years after the event and get a lawyer to help demonstrate that this was a one time event and your friend is not a drunkard etc...

He can also apply without a lawyer or less than 5 years after the event but then there is more risk that the application will be denied.

 

[ss1123]

Thanks for your responses.

From what I know, he travels internationally - a lot. So, will need to renew his GC. During which, I am sure this dui will trigger again.

Hopefully, they will let him stay, if he has only one dui

Is there anything he can do, to prove that he is not a habitual drunkard...

Thanks for your suggestions/comments