Have you ever been arrested in Canada or anywhere in the world? If yes, then you may need a nonimmigrant U.S. waiver to enter the U.S. if your offense is deemed to be a crime involving moral turpitude or CIMT. This year end review will provide an overview of U.S. Waivers. At Berardi Immigration Law, we take this area of our practice so seriously that we have launched a website to deal exclusively with this process. You can visit that site by clicking here.
You can also watch one of our videos relating to the subject:
Persons with criminal charges and/or convictions may be inadmissible to the United States regardless of how long ago it was or how minor the charges. Typical offenses that render a person inadmissible include fraud, theft, or crimes relating to controlled substances. Additionally, persons previously removed or denied entry from the U.S. may also be inadmissible.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has access to criminal records; therefore any individual with a criminal record runs the risk of being denied entry to the United States, even if it is only for a brief visit.
Canadian citizens should be aware that Canadian pardons are not recognized by the United States and a U.S. waiver is still required for entry. Don’t waste your money on a Canadian pardon; it will not help your border-crossing problems.
Certain single criminal convictions do not automatically require criminal waivers. You may qualify for the “petty offense exception.”
If you reside in Southern Ontario or Toronto and have been advised by a Customs and Border Protection Officer that you need a criminal waiver to enter the U.S., call Berardi Immigration Law for a free consultation. Managing Partner Rosanna Berardi will personally review your case, determine if CBP’s request is valid and help you formulate a strategy to secure your future admissibility from Ontario or anywhere else in Canada into the U.S.
