When you apply for a green card, the USCIs will want to know how you have previously interacted with the law both in and outside the United States. As always, they will give immigration priorities to law-abiding citizens, and whether you are married to a US citizen, your criminal record may hinder your entry into the country under the green card.
Therefore, it is important to mention every case of lawbreaking that you have had before. It may not look good if the department finds out that you initially hid your previous records for any reason. Therefore, honesty matters in acquiring a green card, even for less serious crimes that did not necessarily get you behind bars.
Not all crime histories will make it an issue for you to get that green card. According to the Office of Immigration Litigation, only three types of crimes can lead to denial of a green card. These include aggravated felonies, crimes involving illegal drugs ad crimes on moral turpitude.
As far as immigration is concerned, you will still have an issue with getting a green card even if you cooperated with the law enforcers. It includes crimes that went unpunished even though authorities agreed not to convict you.
Even with any of these crimes in your record, you can still get a waiver of inadmissibility and still get your green card. All crimes done in another country will affect your ability to get a green card, especially if you cannot argue your case convincingly before the USCIS. The most effective remedy is living a crime-free lifestyle.