Hi folks!
So, after a long 4 years of back and forth, my girlfriend has settled on not wanting to come to Canada as she is not willing to leave her family. Thus, it is now up to me to find my way there!
A little about me: I am a 30 year old blue collar worker with little education to speak for (2 year college diploma) so that won’t be helping me in my quest to become an American. This basically leaves my gf having to likely sponsor me as either her fiancé or husband. Having done a little bit of reading I have found that my little mistake from 10 years ago might come back to haunt me.
I was charged with the crime of Theft Under $5000 in the province of Ontario when I was 20/21 years old. I was offered a deferral and my case was ‘sealed.’ All is fine and dandy up here in Canada, but after doing some homework I’ve come to learn that the United States and the USCIS do not recognize ‘sealed’ records and that I might as well have served time for my crime in their eyes. It is listed as having ‘up to 2 years in jail’ up here in Canada.
I guess the question I’m asking here is: What are my chances of being united with my girlfriend once and for all, in the United States? Is a K-1 or CR1 my best available route? Would I qualify so long as all other requirements are met? Is there anything I can do up here in Canada BEFORE she applies to sponsor me to help my case? I never had my fingerprints/mug shot destroyed or anything like that, I didn’t see the point considering my case is ‘sealed.’ Or am I simply out of luck?
Please help. Thank you.
-A very sorry, STUPID, Canadian.