Fine at the airport... Would it affect my application?

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omg_stfu

Registered Users (C)
Hello, everybody.
After so many years, it is time for me to take the last step and file my N400. This forum has been tremendous help with my i485 and then the removal of conditions (after divorcing the USC) and hopefully it will be just as useful with my naturalization application.
So, here's the question: A couple of years ago I was fined at the airport for bringing some food items (cooked and processed meat), which I also didn't mention on my customs declaration. The reason - I thought the ban was only for uncooked items, as they may be contaminated, but whatever. The fine was $300, I paid it right then and there and that was that.
Now, while I have every intention to disclose it on the N400, what would this fine qualify as? Citation? Also, do you think it will adversely impact my application?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.
 
omg_stfu said:
Hello, everybody.
After so many years, it is time for me to take the last step and file my N400. This forum has been tremendous help with my i485 and then the removal of conditions (after divorcing the USC) and hopefully it will be just as useful with my naturalization application.
So, here's the question: A couple of years ago I was fined at the airport for bringing some food items (cooked and processed meat), which I also didn't mention on my customs declaration. The reason - I thought the ban was only for uncooked items, as they may be contaminated, but whatever. The fine was $300, I paid it right then and there and that was that.
Now, while I have every intention to disclose it on the N400, what would this fine qualify as? Citation? Also, do you think it will adversely impact my application?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you take a look at that fine payment document, you'll notice it clearly say it is a civil fine. So I don't think you need to doslcose it
 
WBH said:
If you take a look at that fine payment document, you'll notice it clearly say it is a civil fine. So I don't think you need to doslcose it
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, WBH... have you been in the same situation? If so, did you disclose the fine?
Thanks again!
 
omg_stfu said:
Thanks a lot, WBH... have you been in the same situation? If so, did you disclose the fine?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Never got it before citizenship. Got it after I became a citizen. I am not sure if part of reason is if I do not care about obeying laws so cautiously after citizenship. But it is indeed a civil penalty. AT most
I am not sure if you need to considered that as detained by law enforcement or not
 
Yep, just looked at the paperwork, it was in my office.
It says, "... and as a civil penalty in full settlement of this matter, I agree to pay..."
So, the consensus is not to mention it all? Good deal then.
 
Just make sure next time, you overnight via Fedex the roasted beef steak soaked in guacamole to avoid another fine...lol!! I understand the second offense involves you eating the meat at arrivals as a warning to other would be offenders, NOT to bring any meat into the country....lol!!! Consensus is in: DON'T mention it, but you can take a steak to the USCIS office to devour during your interview.
 
Al Southner said:
Just make sure next time, you overnight via Fedex the roasted beef steak soaked in guacamole to avoid another fine...lol!! I understand the second offense involves you eating the meat at arrivals as a warning to other would be offenders, NOT to bring any meat into the country....lol!!! Consensus is in: DON'T mention it, but you can take a steak to the USCIS office to devour during your interview.
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LMAO... Do you think it would be a good idea to bring one for the IO as well? A bottle of cabernet, too, maybe?
 
omg_stfu said:
Yep, just looked at the paperwork, it was in my office.
It says, "... and as a civil penalty in full settlement of this matter, I agree to pay..."
So, the consensus is not to mention it all? Good deal then.
Click to expand...

A basic piece of common sense is : If you do anything wrong and you have the option
to pay the fine on the spot, that must be a civil penalty. In USA, no authority can force
you to pay criminal fine without propoer court procedure.
 
WBH said:
A basic piece of common sense is : If you do anything wrong and you have the option
to pay the fine on the spot, that must be a civil penalty. In USA, no authority can force
you to pay criminal fine without propoer court procedure.
Click to expand...
Having the option to pay and forcing you to pay are two separate things. For example, some tickets allow you to send payment by mail eventhough they are considered criminal in nature. Also, in some instances payment can be requested on the spot for (criminal) speeding tickets. This is especially true when the person being stopped does not live in the area where they were caught.
 
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