I think the question should be put in these terms: the associate is Italian or not ?

If yes,he could "made"; Gotti was acting capo of the Fatico crew even he was an associate; Corallo, when the Abate the Jersey Crew boss in the early 1970 went into semi-retirement,choose as jersey boss Accetturo despite he wasn't made until 1976,because Accetturo represented the Mafia ideal: loyal, trustworthy and a good earner.

The mafia mentality about not-Italian associates is: yes, we make business with us,they made a lot of money for us, etc. but they aren't like us and never will be like us.