When you’re trying to obtain US residency, citizenship or a visa, immigration officials will scrutinize your history and your records to determine whether you’re of good moral character. A finding of what’s called moral turpitude can delay your application or even cause you to be denied approval – and that’s why, if there’s any question about your status, you need to work with a qualified US immigration lawyer in Milwaukee.
Moral Turpitude: 3 Things You Need to Know
Moral turpitude is something that goes beyond what a society is willing to accept in terms of moral standards. While morals vary slightly from country to country, and even from city to city, the basics are generally the same across borders.
With that in mind, there are some things that pertain to moral turpitude, particularly when it comes to Wisconsin and federal immigration laws.
Moral Turpitude Fact #1
A conviction for possession or use of illegal drugs does not necessarily constitute moral turpitude. While you’ll need to consult with your immigration attorney on the specifics, a minor offense – particularly one that took place quite some time ago – may not be as detrimental to your application as you think. On the other hand, drug trafficking is a more serious offense, and you’ll need to discuss the consequences of it with your lawyer.
Moral Turpitude Fact #2
Crimes that have been expunged from your record may come back to haunt you when it comes to immigration. Someone who has committed two crimes that can be construed as moral turpitude can’t establish good moral character.
Moral Turpitude Fact #3
Your attorney can evaluate your past history and help you determine whether anything you’ve done can be considered a crime of moral turpitude. In some cases, you may be able to prove that what you did was not actually a crime of moral turpitude with a lawyer’s assistance.
Because it’s always a good idea to work with an attorney on matters like these, regardless of whether you anticipate any difficulties, call us at (414) 383-6700 or send us a confidential message.
