FrankieJay
New Member
Hello,
I have a question regarding my eligibility for residency. My Mom and I came to California in '86 and since about 1997 or so we began trying to obtain our residency. Instead of going to an immigration lawyer we went to a couple smaller businesses that "specialize" in such matters, but for some reason we never really saw anything materialize with them, thus deciding to go to a higher level, more notorious immigration lawyer. There are a few things that I have done in my past which I am afraid might hurt my chances of getting the residency. First off, when I was about 16 or 17 I was caught shoplifting from Toys R Us. I believe the amount of the merchandise I had taken was under $100 or so. This was so long ago, I hardly recall the details, but I know that they only got my info and nothing else. They brought my mom in and told her what happened but that was it. The second occasion was when I took 2 CD's from KMart. They got my info (no prints) and didn't arrest me but fined me through a lawyer firm who I had to call to schedule payment option. After I was done paying the fine (I'm unsure but I think it was about $500 or $600) I was required to go to a one-day class. The last incident was when I was about 21....a few friends and I went inside an abandoned house, not to vandalize but to look around and hang out. Some of us weren't thinking and started to break some glass that was already broken off of some windows. Someone called the cops and when they got there took our info, took us to the station, and printed us. My friends and I were 21 so we had to wait for them to "verify our info" is what they told us. We were there overnight and in the morning they said their computers were down that's why we had to wait so long and gave us our stuff and let us go. We went to court a month or so later and had court appointed lawyers, who managed to drop the charge from Trespassing to disturbing the peace and suggested we plead 'no contest'. Afterwards we had a fine and community service and 2 yr probation. Now after all the things I did, I'm aware that they were wrong and wish I could undo them, but am hopeful that this won't affect my eligibility. Our final interview is in a week and Im so worried that they will deport me right then and there. Do you think I have a chance? (By the way, my Mom managed to get this far down the road with immigration by filing through domestic abuse, if that helps at all) Our lawyer tells me that it shouldn't be a problem (she sent for me to take a fingerprint check and the arrest is the only thing that came back...she also said she would check my name through FBI and see if there was anything else that came out, but she hasn't mentioned anything on their response.) I'm so uneasy I'd like to get a second opinion. Please give me any input which might be helpful.v Thanks.
Frankie
I have a question regarding my eligibility for residency. My Mom and I came to California in '86 and since about 1997 or so we began trying to obtain our residency. Instead of going to an immigration lawyer we went to a couple smaller businesses that "specialize" in such matters, but for some reason we never really saw anything materialize with them, thus deciding to go to a higher level, more notorious immigration lawyer. There are a few things that I have done in my past which I am afraid might hurt my chances of getting the residency. First off, when I was about 16 or 17 I was caught shoplifting from Toys R Us. I believe the amount of the merchandise I had taken was under $100 or so. This was so long ago, I hardly recall the details, but I know that they only got my info and nothing else. They brought my mom in and told her what happened but that was it. The second occasion was when I took 2 CD's from KMart. They got my info (no prints) and didn't arrest me but fined me through a lawyer firm who I had to call to schedule payment option. After I was done paying the fine (I'm unsure but I think it was about $500 or $600) I was required to go to a one-day class. The last incident was when I was about 21....a few friends and I went inside an abandoned house, not to vandalize but to look around and hang out. Some of us weren't thinking and started to break some glass that was already broken off of some windows. Someone called the cops and when they got there took our info, took us to the station, and printed us. My friends and I were 21 so we had to wait for them to "verify our info" is what they told us. We were there overnight and in the morning they said their computers were down that's why we had to wait so long and gave us our stuff and let us go. We went to court a month or so later and had court appointed lawyers, who managed to drop the charge from Trespassing to disturbing the peace and suggested we plead 'no contest'. Afterwards we had a fine and community service and 2 yr probation. Now after all the things I did, I'm aware that they were wrong and wish I could undo them, but am hopeful that this won't affect my eligibility. Our final interview is in a week and Im so worried that they will deport me right then and there. Do you think I have a chance? (By the way, my Mom managed to get this far down the road with immigration by filing through domestic abuse, if that helps at all) Our lawyer tells me that it shouldn't be a problem (she sent for me to take a fingerprint check and the arrest is the only thing that came back...she also said she would check my name through FBI and see if there was anything else that came out, but she hasn't mentioned anything on their response.) I'm so uneasy I'd like to get a second opinion. Please give me any input which might be helpful.v Thanks.
Frankie
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