8 Common Reasons for Deportation from the United States
Immigrants should avoid devastating deportation when they're in the United States. The deportation process, which removes a person from the country, can affect individuals and their families. Understanding how deportation can affect you as an immigrant allows you to protect your rights and take measures to avoid potential problems with immigration.
Whether you're facing deportation or want to adhere to the country's laws, these common causes for the U.S. to send you back to where you came from can provide valuable insights.
Key Takeaways:
- You could be deported for violating visa terms, entering the U.S. illegally, or failing to update your address, among other things.
- Follow the conditions set by your visa to avoid being sent back to your home country.
- Understanding the conditions of your visa helps you stay in the country until it expires.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5. Failure to Notify USCIS of Address Changes
6. Engaging in Activities that Threaten National Security
7. Violating Political Asylum Terms or Refugee Status
8. Engaging in Unauthorized Work
Why You're Getting Deported
When you're deported, you can't return to the U.S. either temporarily or permanently. These grounds can kick you out of the country:
1. Violation of Visa Terms
This is one of the most common reasons for deporting an immigrant. Upon entering the U.S., you're required to follow the specific conditions of your visa, whether you're on a tourist or student visa. These include maintaining your student status, not taking any jobs, and leaving the country when your visa expires. Violating any of these conditions may get you deported.
For example, you can face removal proceedings if you're a tourist who overstays upon the expiration of your B-2 visa or a student on an F-1 visa who has stopped attending classes. Understanding and complying with these conditions that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has set helps you avoid deportation.
2. Criminal Convictions
When you commit one or more criminal offenses, the immigration court will remove you from the U.S. These crimes include:
Aggravated Felony
These are serious offenses, such as:
- Drug-related crimes, including drug trafficking and the production and transportation of dangerous drugs.
- Murder
- Rape
- Other violent crimes
Moral Turpitude
- Theft
- Domestic Violence
- Fraud
Fraud, in the context of immigration, means providing false information on visa applications, using fraudulent documents to enter the country, or entering a marriage fraud to get a green card and immigration benefits.
Lying about your immigration history can put you at risk of deportation. Immigration authorities are vigilant about fraud, so it's important to be honest and transparent from the beginning of your visa application.
U.S. immigration takes criminal acts seriously. Even a minor offense can get you deported. Avoiding this crime can help you maintain your legal status and keep your green card for many years. Each criminal charge may impact your immigration status.
3. Illegal Entry or Presence
Coming into the U.S. without authorization or remaining without legal status are grounds for deportation. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is serious about this, as there are people who cross borders illegally or overstay their visas.
However, one solution is for people unlawfully entering the U.S. to regularize their status. Asylum seekers, on the other hand, can be relieved from deportation. Undocumented immigrants must get legal advice to expand their options without being deported.
4. Public Charge
It might be a less common cause for deportation, but it can happen if you become a public charge or rely heavily on government assistance for your basic needs. While this may not be frequently enforced, it's concerning for immigrants who depend on public benefits to survive.
5. Failure to Notify USCIS of Address Changes
Moving from one house to another is normal once you reside in the U.S. However, you shouldn't forget to inform the USCIS of your new address within ten days of moving. Failing to do so violates immigration law and may result in removal from the country.
USCIS uses your address to send important notices, such as requests for additional information and deportation hearing schedules. If you fail to update your address, you might miss important communication from USCIS.
6. Engaging in Activities that Threaten National Security
The national security of the United States of America is of utmost importance. Anyone doing activities that threaten the country's security will undergo immigration proceedings. These activities include:
- Espionage: The information gained through spying can be used to plan activities that destabilize the government.
- Terrorism: The horrible actions of these groups, such as mass shootings, suicide bombings, and hostage takings, can have lasting effects on society.
- Supporting Terrorist Organizations: Expressing direct or indirect support for these groups may result in being barred from re-entering the U.S. forever.
- Subversive Activities: These include participating in rebellion and insurrection that aim to violently overthrow the U.S. government.
Avoid involvement in these severe threats to keep your legal status and stay in the U.S. for good.
7. Violating Political Asylum Terms or Refugee Status
If you're granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S., you must comply with the conditions for these kinds of protection. You shouldn't go back to the country you fled from and follow American laws. Even visiting your home country can be prohibited.
Doing the opposite might create the impression that you're no longer afraid of persecution, leading to losing your asylum status. Understanding the conditions of these statuses is important to keep staying in the country, avoid putting yourself in danger, and risk losing protection from the government.
8. Engaging in Unauthorized Work
Not all visas permit employment. If your visa doesn't allow you to work in the U.S., stick to the terms instead of getting deported. Working in an informal or part-time job can risk violating your visa terms, and you may be sent home.
Some of the visas that don't permit getting a job include:
- B-1 - Business Visa: For attending business meetings and conferences and negotiating contracts.
- B-2 - Tourist Visa: For leisure, entertainment, medical treatment, and visiting family and friends.
- F-1 - Student Visa: For those pursuing academic studies in a U.S.-recognized university.
- K-1 - Fiancé(e) Visa: For foreign nationals engaged to U.S. citizens to come to the United States and get married.
- J-1 - Exchange Visitor Visa: For approved exchange programs focusing on educational and cultural exchange. However, this visa can be a different case. It might allow you to work, but the type of job depends on your program.
Final Thoughts
Understanding why you can be deported is essential as an American immigrant. Being aware of the risks you may run into and taking measures ahead of time will help you get away from deportation and its consequences. Following the laws of American soil and sticking to your visa terms can protect your status.
In times like these, it's advisable to seek advice from an experienced immigration lawyer who knows immigration laws well. They can assist you with the Green Card application process and guide you through the complex U.S. immigration system. They can also give you solutions to keep your status if you're facing potential issues that may lead to deportation.
