Deportation or involuntary removal from the United States is an immigrant’s worst fear. Those living in the United States often want to become permanent residents or possibly even citizens.
Seemingly minor legal issues can result in immigrants facing removal from the United States and other legal challenges. Deportation can be expensive and can damage personal relationships. It can also put someone at risk if the situation is volatile in their country of origin.
Immigrants with visas or green cards often need to be cautious about their conduct to ensure that they can legally remain in the United States indefinitely. What are the most common reasons for deportation from the United States?
1. Paperwork oversights
Visas only last for a certain amount of time, although they are often eligible for renewal. Immigrants have to regularly fill out paperwork to extend their stay in the United States.
Even those with green cards have to submit paperwork to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) every 10 years. The failure to properly renew visas and green cards is one of the most common reasons that people face removal from the United States.
2. Criminal activity
Immigrants typically need to demonstrate good moral character to gain entry into the United States. They must maintain that good moral character while they live in the country.
A variety of criminal offenses can undermine claims of having good moral character. Drug crimes, violent felonies and other crimes of moral turpitude can result in deportation. Even seemingly minor offenses that carry lengthy prison sentences can be enough to warrant removal from the United States in some cases.
3. Allegations of fraud
Many people obtain visas and green cards through marriage or family relationships. Some people falsify relationship histories in an attempt to obtain marital or fiance visas. They may also claim to have a family relationship with someone to whom they have no direct biological or legal connection.
If the government discovers proof of fraudulent relationship claims, the immigrants implicated in those situations may be at risk of removal from the United States. In cases where people secure jobs without proper work authorization, that decision can also put them at risk.
Those facing deportation have the right to respond. With the right legal guidance, they may be able to avoid their involuntary removal from the country. Getting help when facing the possibility of deportation can be beneficial for anxious immigrants. A review of the situation can help people find ways to fight attempts at deportation.