I got in trouble at school for marijuana, but the police were never involved. How will this impact my immigration case?
This is a really common situation, and it isn’t the end of your immigration dreams. It will be really important for you to talk to an experienced immigration attorney about how to handle your case.
This is because marijuana is a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, which means the possession of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, even if cannabis has been legalized in your state for medical or recreational use.
If an immigration officer finds that you have violated a drug law, either by using, possessing, distributing, or “aiding and abetting” the distribution of cannabis, a visa or green card applicant can be found inadmissible. Someone applying for U.S. citizenship could be found to lack “good moral character,” which is a requirement for naturalization.
But again, even though these consequences can be severe, getting in trouble for pot is not uncommon, and does not automatically mean you can’t get a visa, green card, or become a citizen. Just make sure you get good advice from an experienced immigration attorney!