Should You Worry About Getting Deported?
Before you become a naturalized U.S. citizen, your status as an immigrant in the country is somewhat vulnerable. You can receive a deportation notice for a variety of reasons, adding to the reasons that immigrants should take the steps to become a citizen as soon as they can. Learn more about what situations can make you vulnerable to deportation (and what you can do about it).
What are the reasons an immigrant can get deported?
Illegal Status
Foreign visitors to the United States must get a visa to be here. The American government limits the number of visas issued each year, and many immigrants can't afford the fees to afford the visa. Furthermore, some foreigners won't qualify for a visa. For these reasons (and more), some immigrants enter the country illegally. If these illegal immigrants get picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they may be detained and then deported if they can't hire an immigration attorney to fight the case.
A person may enter the country legally but lose their immigration status by violating the terms of their visa or green card. Some visas have conditions. For example, if someone enters the country on a k-1 fiance visa but fails to marry their fiance in 90 days, their visa is revoked as the visa was conditional based on the marriage.
Sometimes small offenses, such as admitting to drug abuse, can violate the terms of a visa, even if the immigrant met the other conditions of the visa.
Visa Application Fraud
An immigrant can get deported if it's found that they lied on their visa application or forged related documents. While ICE agents have the ability to release illegal immigrants, immigrants who commit visa fraud will undoubtedly be detained and criminally charged. Immigrants who earn citizenship do not receive protection in this situation.
Committing a Crime of "Moral Turpitude"
Immigrants need to be especially mindful not to commit a crime, especially crimes of "moral turpitude". Crimes of moral turpitude include smuggling, human trafficking, domestic abuse, firearms charges, murder, rape, and terrorism.
An immigrant can get deported if they commit one of the aforementioned crimes in their first five years or two of the aforementioned crimes through the duration of their time as an immigrant.
What should you do if you're facing deportation?
If you are facing deportation, fight the charges. You have the right to counsel who can present your case. For more information on immigration law, contact a professional near you.