Shoplifting in high school, 14 years later am I ok?

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photo-g

New Member
Back in 1998 when I was 16 years old, I was caught and arrested for shoplifting. I did 40 hours of community service and have since been free of any misdemeanors and/or arrests. I'm 30 now and am applying for naturalization and was wondering how that affects my application since it happened when I was under 18 years of age. I assume I still need to report it on the application, correct?
 
Shoplifting can be a deportable offense, depending on the specific details.

Were you arrested before obtaining your green card? If yes, did you provide information about it during the green card process?

Did any of your parents become a US citizen before you turned 18? Did you get your green card before turning 18?

Did you register for Selective Service?
 
photo-g said:
Back in 1998 when I was 16 years old, I was caught and arrested for shoplifting. I did 40 hours of community service and have since been free of any misdemeanors and/or arrests. I'm 30 now and am applying for naturalization and was wondering how that affects my application since it happened when I was under 18 years of age. I assume I still need to report it on the application, correct?
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Isn't it obvious? You will either get naturalized or the death sentence!

Seriously, are you truly afraid of this?

A 16 year old got caught being naughty and got a slap on the wrist!

Just DON'T LIE about it and it will be OK.
 
Is it just me, or are there a lot criminals coming out of the woodwork for naturalization in July? ;)
 
Make sure to check the box on the app. where it asks have you ever been cited detained or arrested and when you go to your interview clearly tell them what happened and why you were arrested they also might want certified court proof from that incident try to get it if you can but remember to tell them when they start asking you the GMC questions.
 
Juvenile delinquency proceedings are not considered convictions for immigration purposes. Matter of Devison, 22 I&N Dec. 1362, 1365–66 (BIA 2000). Generally, the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (“FJDA”) governs whether an offense by a juvenile is a crime or an act of delinquency. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 5031–50. Under the FJDA, a juvenile court disposition is distinct from a criminal conviction. 18 U.S.C. § 5031.
 
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