Although recreational marijuana is legal in 24 U.S. states, including California, a new report indicates that non-citizens who get their hands on it could face denial of green card or citizenship applications in the future.
Non-citizens with green cards are cautioned against working in marijuana-related industries due to the risk of being classified as drug trafficking under federal law.
According to a recent Politico report, permanent residents operating dispensaries in states where marijuana is legal are facing citizenship application denials. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers deemed the applicant’s work as an ‘illicit drug trafficking’ during the citizenship interview process, the publication reported.
In 2017, Maria Reimers, a permanent resident who co-ran a marijuana dispensary with her citizen husband in Ephrata, Washington, had her citizenship application denied. USCIS officers determined that Reimers was involved in the distribution of drugs, which are illegal under federal law, and did not meet the criteria of ‘good moral character’, an important requirement for citizenship. For now, Reimers remains a green card holder, but his lawyers have advised her to stay in the United States, saying she could be detained upon reentry after leaving the country.
On December 22, President Joe Biden pardoned people who had been punished for simple possession or use of marijuana. However, this does not apply to legal immigrants and green card holders.
According to Politico and immigration lawyers, marijuana is classified under federal law as a Schedule I substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse. Legal immigrants and permanent residents involved in smoking, possessing, or distributing marijuana may face denial of green cards and citizenship, and risk deportation.
“Immigration law has provisions for non-citizens to be barred from permanent residency and citizenship, debarred from further entry, or deported if they have access to marijuana,” said Immigration Lawyer Jonathan Park. “Even in states where marijuana is legal, such as California, it is best not to deal with marijuana unless you are a U.S. citizen.”
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, HOONSIK WOOÂ Â [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
