do debts or bankruptcy affect green card immigration?

[visaquestion]

I have been outside of the USA for quite a while and may be deemed to have abandoned my residency, although I think I qualify for a returning resident SB-1 visa.

If one applies for a new green card with a new petition, or if one applies for a returning-resident SB-1 visa, is there any problem coming as an immigrant if one has debts in the country one is immigrating from?

I am not referring to a case of simply leaving the foreign country without coming to some kind of arrangement for the debts with the agreement of the creditors (either paying them more slowly, or having part of the debt officially written off), or doing anything illegal. Simply my question is, does the fact that one has debts, or has even declared bankruptcy, have any effect on one's ability to become a permanent resident?

When I filled in one of the forms for my permanent resident card before or after the interview at the US Embassy, I seem to vaguely remember having to tick some boxes saying something like, I don't have any legal action or prosecution pending against me, etc., but I don't remember if having debts of any type, or bankruptcy, was a factor.

I assume that immigration law does not normally 'care' if one has debts, but I wanted to make sure.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

[visaquestion]

I have been outside of the USA for quite a while and may be deemed to have abandoned my residency, although I think I qualify for a returning resident SB-1 visa.

If one applies for a new green card with a new petition, or if one applies for a returning-resident SB-1 visa, is there any problem coming as an immigrant if one has debts in the country one is immigrating from?

I am not referring to a case of simply leaving the foreign country without coming to some kind of arrangement for the debts with the agreement of the creditors (either paying them more slowly, or having part of the debt officially written off), or doing anything illegal. Simply my question is, does the fact that one has debts, or has even declared bankruptcy, have any effect on one's ability to become a permanent resident?

When I filled in one of the forms for my permanent resident card before or after the interview at the US Embassy, I seem to vaguely remember having to tick some boxes saying something like, I don't have any legal action or prosecution pending against me, etc., but I don't remember if having debts of any type, or bankruptcy, was a factor.

I assume that immigration law does not normally 'care' if one has debts, but I wanted to make sure.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

[Houston]

If you leave without paying you are committing fraud, you're inadmissible. Period. If you leave while complying with any arrangements you made, it's all good. They ask about legal actions because they want to make sure you have not committed any crimes that render you inadmissible. This is done in strict compliance with INA, nothing out of the ordinary.
However, you need to make sure you pay any and all obligations, because if any result in legal action you may have problems.

[dragonlady]

They really only care about the US legal problems. If you think you may be extradited to your other country to stand trial - then you may have a problem. Lousey credit doesn't matter - they don't check your credit scores. The FBI check is for American 'crimes'. They do not go through INTERPOL. They don't ask for your previous SSN. USCIS is concerned about your paying taxes IN THE US and those have to be clear before you can naturalize.

[Sugarpuff]

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT A PREVIOUS SS#??!!!

I beg to differ. Mulitble identities are a major concern to ICE.

[dragonlady]

Having a SSI# in another country (if your country requires one) does not mean you have multiple identities -it means you can work in your country and are subject to tax. For those who are PRs - they keep their SSI# from their home country because they can still work in their home country - if they go home. For those who are dual citizens it is the same.

[Sugarpuff]

Are those numbers issued in other countries called social security numbers?

[dragonlady]

Not necessarily - In Canada they are called Social Insurance #'s (SIN's). Other countries may call then different names. I used SS# because that is the term used in this country.

[Sugarpuff]

Then kindly refer to them by the correct name. It is hard enough to comprehend your point sometimes without you making up names

[dragonlady]

Okay - Social Security Numbers. Using terms from another country is not MAKING UP names. If you do not know things about other countries, this is your opportunity to learn. So Dorothy, just grab Toto and jump on board the learning train.

I really get to you don't I? It doesn't matter whether you get my point or not. Others do. You make no difference to me.

[Sugarpuff]

Again, are they called "social security numbers" or are they called "ssn's" in other countries?

[dragonlady]

No

[Sugarpuff]

THEN DON"T CALL THEM BY THAT NAME!

Like I said before, it makes following your argument very difficult if you make things up as you go.

[moemoe]

so they check the tax history with the state taxation department and IRS ?

[dragonlady]

moemoe: I do know they ask for your tax returns - I have had to turn mine in. They requested the previous 3 years and I believe that for naturalization they ask for the previous 3 or 5 years depending on how you are filing for naturalization. Whether they go directly to the IRS and/or state tax departments, I am not sure. I wouldn't doubt it - but I know for sure they want returns (if you have worked, of course.).