Entering the USA with a federal conviction

[metalguru]

Hi, I am asking this question on behalf of my father. Nearly thirty years ago he was deported from the States. He was told that should he ever return he would be arrested and imprisoned for two years. Well, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, he is now a hard working family man. Is it feasible to consider that it may be possible for him to make a return?

[MarkRae]

With the greatest of respect, you're asking the wrong people!

You need to contact the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London:
http://www.google.co....assy+grosvenor+square

However, be fully prepared for your father to be turned down. The US immigration authorities have ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT of rehabilitation. When applying for a US entry visa, you are expected to inform not only of any actual convictions but also of any arrests, even if no charges were brought!

[society]

If you inform them of this they will definitely be on the look-out for your father if he should enter the USA.

[dzug]

He needs to apply for a visa.

Given that it was 30 years ago there's a fair chance he will be successful. They DO have a concept of rehabilitation, but not an automatic one. They need to know about it and will consider the evidence and the circumstances.

For most crimes 15 years free of reoffending is considered enough.

I doubt if he will get much info out of the Embassy other than 'apply for a visa and we'll consider it'.

[MarkRae]

> Given that it was 30 years ago there's a fair chance he will be successful.

That might (just possibly) be the case if the crime had been committed outside the US. However, this one wasn't. Cf Ronnie Biggs...

[munchie63]

it really depends on what happened in the US if they're prepared to allow him back.

the visa process can be a long one, but it's worth him applying. As you say, he's a different person now, older and wiser. if he can show he's behaved, and is now a family man, with a home etc, then they'll consider it. It's about risk for them, and after 30 yrs is he likely to cause problems.