Question about the N-400

[bufumufu8 0]

Hi,

I recently did a stupid thing that I'm kicking myself in the balls about...

I recently got suspended for a year from my school for having taken an iPod. There were no criminal charges involved and I have not been arrested, but there was a disciplinary hearing and the suspension does show up on my transcript.

This was a stupid mistake I made and I won't repeat it again, but I'm afraid that it might bar me from gaining citizenship.

Do I have to report something like this? I know some of you will say "yes" because "it says so..." but please try to understand my situation.

[Lansbury 19]

If you lie on your citizenship application and it subsequently comes to light you can have your citizenship taken away from you. Now you know the possible consequences make your choice as to what you do.

Edited December 24, 2009 by Lansbury

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

If the question is "Have you been subjected to disciplinary action at school" then you definitely have to answer yes.

If the question is "Have you been arrested for or convicted of any criminal charges" then the answer is no. Disciplinary actions by a school is not the same as criminal arrest or conviction.

BTW, stop kicking yourself in the balls, you might need to use them later in life.

[Dakine 26]

Hi,

I recently did a stupid thing that I'm kicking myself in the balls about...

I recently got suspended for a year from my school for having taken an iPod. There were no criminal charges involved and I have not been arrested, but there was a disciplinary hearing and the suspension does show up on my transcript.

This was a stupid mistake I made and I won't repeat it again, but I'm afraid that it might bar me from gaining citizenship.

Do I have to report something like this? I know some of you will say "yes" because "it says so..." but please try to understand my situation.

Have you ever committed a crime you HAVEN'T been arrested for? YES NO

That's on the N-400 naturalization application.

[Lansbury 19]

Have you ever committed a crime you HAVEN'T been arrested for? YES NO

That's on the N-400 naturalization application.

and they ask you that again at the citizenship interview. Another question they ask is "Have you ever lied to a Federal Officer". Are USCIS interviewers Federal Officers?

[antda 13]

Hi Bufumufu8,

Lol..Don't kick yourself about this....Don't worry, we all make mistakes...The important thing is that we learn from them...

In answer to your question, if I were you, I would probably report it. It is better to report something, that it is to lie and/or conceal the fact about it.

It is a crime to lie to an immigration officer than it is to tell the truth.. (and yes, you have to swear to tell the truth during your interview too)

Just photocopy your transcript and write an explaination as to what was the situation and why this happened.

And answer the questions on the N-400 accordingly, about this incident.

I'm sure the immigration officer will understand here and will 'forgive' you for such.

More likely than not, they will not deny you citizenship because of this, especially if there are no convictions involved.

As well, you have not been convicted of a crime of "moral torpitude", so you're ok there.

Now if there was a court record too, then you would have to send in the original copy of such as well. If not, then you don't have to worry about this.

Hope this helps too. Good luck with the rest of your journey (lol..and no more stealing IPods along the way either!)...

Ant

Hi,

I recently did a stupid thing that I'm kicking myself in the balls about...

I recently got suspended for a year from my school for having taken an iPod. There were no criminal charges involved and I have not been arrested, but there was a disciplinary hearing and the suspension does show up on my transcript.

This was a stupid mistake I made and I won't repeat it again, but I'm afraid that it might bar me from gaining citizenship.

Do I have to report something like this? I know some of you will say "yes" because "it says so..." but please try to understand my situation.

Edited December 27, 2009 by Ant+D+BabyA