Arrested
U.S. Naturalization Test (2025 Standard) glossary · English
Definition
Being taken into law-enforcement custody. Read every N-400 criminal-history question literally and disclose all events the form requires, even if no charge or conviction followed; bring certified records when the instructions require them and seek qualified legal advice for case-specific risk.
Arrested in plain English
Being arrested means police or another law-enforcement officer takes you into custody, meaning you are held and not free to just walk away. It's important to know this is separate from being found guilty: you can be arrested and later have all charges dropped. On the citizenship application (the N-400), you must honestly report events exactly as the form asks, even arrests that led to no charge or conviction, and bring official records if instructed. Because these questions can seriously affect your case, it's smart to get advice from a qualified immigration lawyer if your situation is complicated.
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