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Equities check: have you ever been arrested, cited, or charged anywhere in the world — even if the case was dismissed or sealed?
In short
Criminal contacts are analyzed under INA § 212(a)(2). The cure is some combination of post-conviction relief, § 212(h) waiver where statutorily available, and rehabilitation evidence on the *Mendez-Moralez* / *Matter of Castillo-Perez* lines.Sources
Legal Citations
INA § 245(a) — Adjustment of statusUSCIS PM-602-0199 — Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace (May 21, 2026)Matter of Blas, 15 I&N Dec. 626 (BIA 1974), aff'd, 556 F.2d 586 (9th Cir. 1977)Matter of Mendez-Moralez, 21 I&N Dec. 296 (BIA 1996)Matter of Marin, 16 I&N Dec. 581 (BIA 1978)Patel v. Garland, 596 U.S. 328 (2022)1 USCIS-PM E.8 — Discretion7 USCIS-PM A.10 — Legal Analysis and Use of Discretion