Two N400 related questions

[EHJ 1]

Hello all,

I am planning on filing the N400 soon but after looking through the form I have two questions that I'd like to clear up beforehand.

- I received a speeding ticket, which I paid, during my first year of holding a driver's license. I failed to reinstate my license after that.

(I had moved, didn't receive the letter from DMV at my new address - my own fault). My car broke down at the side of the road and an officer

stopped to assist me. He ran my license on a routine check and it came back as suspended. I explained the situation and was -not- arrested.

I did go to court, though. Paid a fine and received a six month probation period. License was reinstated as well, of course.

I am somewhat hopeful that, since I paid the fine etc, it won't create a huge hassle for the actual immigration procedure??

It does give me a stomach ache, though.

- I didn't pay state taxes at some point. Did my federal taxes online and never bothered to check back until I received a letter from the state

reminding me to pay up. Which I promptly did.

So I know I'll have to check that I was charged with an offense and that I didn't pay taxes. Just looking at the form that way makes me feel like

a convict. I'm a married father of three and been with the same company for nearly 10 years now. Don't drink, don't do drugs, wasn't a member of the

Nazi party, am not a male prostitute etc.

I just don't want to file that form and cause my family or myself any trouble. Looking at it, it doesn't look like but I'd feel more secure if I

got some good answers.

Thanks in advance!!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

What specific questions on the N-400 concern you? It's hard to give you advice on whether the issues will affect you without reading the wording of the questions that you think may relate to you.

Edited December 26, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[EHJ 1]

What specific questions on the N-400 concern you? It's hard to give you advice on whether the issues will affect you without reading the wording of the questions that you think may relate to you.

It's the "Have you ever committed a crime for which you were -not- arrested?" question. Driving under suspension is the offense which I wasn't arrested for.

I did go to court and paid a fine. What kind of evidence do I need to get to prove that it's paid for and done. Went to court for it in 2007.

And the "Have you ever failed to pay taxes?" part. I failed to pay state tax a few years ago. It was brought to my attention and I paid them in full.

Having checked these two questions on the form just looks .. bad.

My stomach pain issue is: will this, as minor as it is/was (at least in my personal opinion), cause me problems becoming a citizen?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You were caught while driving without a licence. You just weren't fined for it. I would think that's easily explained.

The "failed to pay taxes" I don't think would be an issue either. You haven't since. You simply forgot (easily explained) and you paid it right away (once you were notified).

I don't think either of these issues will prevent you from becoming a citizen. Even if they were to stop you, "for now", I doubt they would revoke your LPR status over it and would probably just tell you to apply at a later date if they deny the USC now.

I think you should be fine though. Explain everything to them, get the court record (go to the court house), maybe the police record (if there is one). They'll tell you at the interview if they require anything else.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thread has been moved from General immigration forum to Us Citizenship General Discussion forum as a more appropriate location for this discussion

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

If you have any doubts, answer yes, and provide an explanation. In your case, a background check will show both these incidents, so you may want to have all the necessary documentation ready before your interview. If your obligations for both incidents are satisfied, it shouldn't be a problem, as long as you can show that is the case. There is more scrutiny given to someone trying to become a citizen, than one seeking to remain legally in the United States.

Edited January 1, 2012 by ☼