Can you have an unknown criminal record in the US?

[lemurianelf 19]

This may be a dumb question but I'm feeling a bit paranoid lately, approaching my interview in Montreal.  I've never been arrested in the US to clarify but does anyone know how does the US check criminal records in the US? I'm going through consular processing so do they take fingerprints right at the interview and can run checks against FBI databases on the spot? Just trying to calm my overly anxious mind haha. Thanks.

[Timona 4,208]

Every investigation, if any, is done before and after you go to the embassy. You shouldn't be worried about it if you have nothing to hide

[JeanneAdil 6,581]

needed for the I 130 petition are:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf

 

7. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. Complete Part 4., Item Numbers 46.b. - 50., of the petition regarding the admission or travel document for the beneficiary. If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or USCIS issued the beneficiary a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record

and/or

Passport and Travel Document Numbers. Complete Part 4., Item Numbers 45. - 50., as applicable, if the beneficiary relative used a passport or travel document to travel to the United States, enter either the passport or travel document information in the appropriate space on the petition, even if the passport or travel document is currently expired. 

 

USCIS uses this info to check for any criminal activity in the US 

if ever arrested in the US ,  fingerprints and photo are taken so there would be a record 

fingerprints taken at time of interview provide for a quick computer check to "see all " 

[Family 4,065]

5 hours ago, lemurianelf said:

I've never been arrested in the US to clarify but does anyone know how does the US check criminal records in the US?

The title of your post is intriguing…”unknown crime “ is it unknown to you and undiscovered by FBI? Not all crimes end up in immediate arrest. 
 

If you’ve never had contact with law enforcement, no record nor crime will show up …but I would presume anyone they are “looking at” for such “ unknown crimes” like cybersecurity issues would be held back on AP …

 

So if you have real identifiable inadmissibility concerns, either ask away or consult and immigration attorney in private, otherwise it’s just Normal Nerves Knotted on the big move coming up .

[lemurianelf 19]

3 hours ago, Family said:

The title of your post is intriguing…”unknown crime “ is it unknown to you and undiscovered by FBI? Not all crimes end up in immediate arrest. 
 

If you’ve never had contact with law enforcement, no record nor crime will show up …but I would presume anyone they are “looking at” for such “ unknown crimes” like cybersecurity issues would be held back on AP …

 

So if you have real identifiable inadmissibility concerns, either ask away or consult and immigration attorney in private, otherwise it’s just Normal Nerves Knotted on the big move coming up 

I'm pretty sure I'm just overly anxious. Only real issue I have had was an argument with someone in a hotel who said they would call the police but didn't (I was using the jacuzzi in the hotel with my boyfriend but wasn't staying there). The cops were never called and we left. 

 

Edit: by unknown criminal record,  i meant a record that exists I wouldn't know of without ever being told I'm arrested,  charged etc. 

Edited August 31, 2022 by lemurianelf

[Family 4,065]

12 minutes ago, lemurianelf said:

I'm pretty sure I'm just overly anxious. Only real issue I have had was an argument with someone in a hotel who said they would call the police but didn't (I was using the jacuzzi in the hotel with my boyfriend but wasn't staying there). The cops were never called and we left. 

 

Edit: by unknown criminal record,  i meant a record that exists I wouldn't know of without ever being told I'm arrested,  charged etc. 

You have NO RECORD unless US Lawmen are inches away from your face reading your Miranda .

All will be well .

[lemurianelf 19]

Thank you.  That put my mind at ease. Have a good day!

[SteveInBostonI130 3,471]

Parking tickets.  That's about the only thing I can think of.  If the parking ticket is unnoticed or gets blown off by wind or whatnot.  I experienced one of those.  Turned out to be $175 mistake (from a $25 original ticket, I think).