My partner has dual citizenship UK/US. He was born in England and lived here until he was 10 yrs old. He then moved to the States with his mother. He was naturalised in the US in 1985. He got into trouble and had to serve 20 months in jail. He then returned to the UK and has never been in any trouble since. That was nearly 20 years ago. We went back to the US in Feb for a break and they arrested him for a probation violation dating back to 1986! He had left the States in 86 because his father was dying in London and he didn't tell the probation officer. He had not been in any trouble for 17 years and he had not been back to the States since! He stupidly thought the issue would be over as it had been so long ago. As soon as we arrived in JFK, they locked him up and a judge has sentenced him to 90 days in prison plus a 6600 US dollar fine. They are keeping his British passport in New York. I had to fly home to the UK alone. He lives and works here in England. They say even after the 90 days he could be put on parole in the US for 9 months! But he doesn't live there. We paid the fine but we are scared. I have no contact with him other than letters. Can they do this? Help! Joanne:(

Yes, they can do this. Warrants do not die or go away.

He will have to serve the time to which he has been sentenced.

Sorry to hear this but the fact is once a warrant is issued, it doesn't expire. One can get arrested because of a warrant issued 30 years ago.

One quick shot for him is abandon US citizenship. He probably does not have to finish his jail time but will be deported. If he wants to maintain dual citizenship, no other choice.

In fact he is very lucky, the 90 days is really nothing compared to what they could have done, it would appear they took his good behavior all these years into account. He needed to 20 years ago have an attorney make arrangements and/or return to do his probation, and never leave without telling PO.