To be eligible for naturalization, it is extremely important that you be a person of good moral character. An individual is not considered to be of "good moral character" if he/she commits certain crimes during the five years before they apply for naturalization or if they lie during their naturalization interview.

Behaviors that show a lack of good moral character:

• Drunk driving or being drunk most of the time.

• Illegal gambling.

• Prostitution.

• Lying to gain immigration benefits.

• Failing to pay court-ordered child support.

• Committing terrorist acts.

• Persecuting someone because of race, religion, national origin, political opinion, or social group.

If you commit certain specific crimes, you can never become an American citizen and will most likely be removed from the US. These crimes are called "bars" to naturalization. Crimes called "aggravated felonies" (if committed on or after November 29, 1990) includes murder, rape, sexual abuse of a child, violent assault, treason, and illegal trafficking in drugs, firearms, or people are some examples of permanent bars to naturalization. In most cases, immigrants who were exempted or discharged from serving in the US Armed Forces because they were immigrants and immigrants who deserted from the US Armed Forces are also permanently barred from US Citizenship. You also may be denied citizenship if you behave in other ways that show you lack good moral character. Other crimes are temporary bars to naturalization. Temporary bars usually prevent you from becoming a citizen for up to five years after you commit the crime.

You have to report any crime that you committed when you apply for naturalization. This includes crimes removed from your record or committed before your 18th birthday. If you do not tell USCIS about them, you may be denied citizenship and you could be prosecuted. So be transparent in all your disclosures.

If you need help with an immigration issue, you can use the services of a licensed and competent immigration lawyer. You can check with the local bar association to find a qualified lawyer.

Some states also certify specialists in US immigration law. However, you are responsible for determining whether to hire a particular attorney. If you need legal help on an immigration issue, but do not have adequate money to hire a lawyer, there are some low cost or free assistance options. You can get help from:

•A Recognized Organization: These organizations are recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). For an organization to qualify, it should have enough knowledge and experience to provide services to immigrants, and they can charge or accept a very nominal fee for those services.

•An Accredited Representative: These are people who are connected to BIA "recognized organizations." These representatives too can charge only a very small fee for the services they provide.

•A Qualified Representative: These people provide free services. These representatives have to know about immigration law and the rules of practice in court. Examples of qualified representatives are law school students and graduates and people with good moral character who have a personal or professional affiliation with you.

•Free Legal Service Providers: There are many attorneys and organizations willing to represent immigrants in proceedings before the Immigration Courts. The attorneys and organizations have agreed to help immigrants pro bono (free of charge) only in immigration proceedings, so some of them may not be able to help you with non-court-related matters (that is, visa petitions, naturalization, etc.).