Clarke County, GA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

You appear to recognize that criminal arrest matters can have significant immigration-related consequences, including on the eligibility of a Lawful Permanent Resident to apply to become a naturalized citizen. This is true regardless of whether a criminal conviction becomes expunged - many people, including some attorneys who do not practice immigration law, mistakenly believe that an expungement will make an arrest and/or a conviction meaningless for immigration purposes, but they are wrong. In order to assess whether the petty theft and the DUI may stand in the way of eligibility there really is no alternative to engaging an immigration attorney to review copies of the disposition documents for those offenses (note that court-certified copies of those documents will have to be submitted to the USCIS in the naturalization application process) and advise you about eligibilities, options and strategies. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis so that a client will know the total expense from the very beginning, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.

Although not entirely clear from your question, it sounds like your girlfriend is a U.S. citizen; you entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection; your non immigrant visa soon will expire; you and your girlfriend plan to become married; and you are interested in applying to adjust status to become a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). Generally, if a foreign national entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection, such as with a B2 visitor's visa, and then becomes married to a U.S. citizen, the fact that he may have overstayed his visa (or even worked without authorization) will not stand in the way of eligibility to adjust status in the U.S., and there will be no requirement that he go outside the U.S. for immigration steps. Especially since you and your fiancee are less than fully familiar with U.S. immigration laws, and failure to properly prepare and fully document an application can cause substantial delay or even more harsh consequences, it would be wise for you and your fiancee to consult with an immigration attorney who, after learning all of the relevant facts about you, your immigration history and related issues, will be able to advise about eligibilities, options and strategies, and offer legal representation in the often complex application process.