02 Aug Facing Deportation? Know Your Rights
While there are many important issues at the forefront during this presidential election, United States immigration policy continues to be one of the most debated and contested of all. As a country founded and built by immigrants continues to struggle with issues related to immigration reform, the futures of millions of immigrants who currently live in the U.S. hang in the balance.
For these individuals and their children, uncertainty has become their daily norm as they live with the constant threat of deportation. The following are five actions that are likely to result in an immigrant facing deportation.
- Entered the U.S. illegally
- Convicted of a crime
- Violated the terms of nonimmigrant status
- Helped or harbored another individual who entered the U.S. illegally
- Provided false information and/or documentation to U.S. immigration officials
What Is The Deportation Process?
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the federal governmental agency that issues what is known as a Notice to Appear which details the alleged violation that was committed to legally justify an individual’s deportation. Also detailed in the NTA is the date of the first hearing in an individual’s immigration case.
Depending on the circumstances involved in an individual’s case, additional hearings may be scheduled at which an individual is provided the opportunity to present evidence documenting why he or she should not be deported.
How An Immigration Attorney Can Help
It’s a sad reality that the civil rights of many U.S. immigrants are routinely disregarded. It’s important, therefore, that individuals who are facing deportation understand and exercise their legal rights.
Individuals who are facing possible deportation would be wise to contact an immigration attorney. The following are just some of the ways that an attorney will work to obtain a favorable outcome in a deportation case.
- Educate an individual about his or her rights and provide legal advice
- Ensure that an individual’s civil rights are respected and upheld
- Represent an individual and his or her best interests at all immigration court hearings
- Investigate and identify any and all possible defenses to a removal or deportation
- File the appropriate and necessary appeals on an individual’s behalf
U.S. immigration laws are notoriously complex and ever-changing and even immigrants who believe they have complied with every rule, regulation and requirement can make mistakes that can jeopardize their immigration status and ability to remain in the U.S.
