Deportation Defense

DEPORTATION DEFENSE

Imagine spending months or years making a home in the U.S., then being forcibly removed and sent back to your country of origin. This is what hundreds of thousands of people endure every year. Deportation is a very common occurrence in the United States, and has impacted millions of families.

Reasons for Deportation

Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign individual from one country to that individual's country of origin. Below are the most common reasons for deportation.

Immigration Violation: Many people are deported for violating United States immigration laws in some capacity. Some people enter the country illegally, some falsify their documentation, and others allow their visas to expire.

Criminal Conviction: If an individual enters the U.S. legally, he may still be deported if he is convicted of a serious crime within five years of admission. If the individual's crime is punishable by more than one year in jail, he will likely be deported.

Understanding the Deportation Process

The deportation process begins with an arrest. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is responsible for ensuring that the arrested individual receives a fair removal hearing, during which a judge examines the individual's documentation, alleged crimes, and other information. An individual facing deportation may choose to have an immigration lawyer present.

Ways to Halt Deportation

There are several ways in which an individual may gain relief from deportation.

A skilled immigration lawyer may successfully argue for one of the following:

Adjustment of Status: If you are the parent, child, spouse, or widow of a U.S. citizen, you may argue for an adjustment of status. If successful, you will become a lawful permanent resident.
Defensive Asylum: If you have a legitimate fear of returning to your country of origin, you may be granted asylum. People are often granted asylum if they fear persecution based on their religious beliefs, political ideas, or race. Immigration judges hear defensive asylum cases in adversarial (courtroom-like) proceedings. The judge determines whether the applicant will be granted asylum, whether the applicant is eligible for other forms of relief from removal or whether the applicant should be removed from the country.
Cancellation of Removal: A cancellation of removal may be granted if you have continuously lived in the U.S. for 10 years without being convicted of a crime. A lawful permanent resident may be granted cancellation of removal if he or she has lived in the U.S. for at least seven years.
U Visa: This visa is used by victims of violent crimes. Intended to prevent criminals from targeting undocumented immigrants, this type of visa can not only halt deportation but may eventually result in a green card for the applicant.

Call Today for an Insider's Perspective

We know that facing the reality of deportation or the removal of a dear family member can be one of the most emotional, frightening, and stressful events in your life. We take the necessary time and effort to make certain you are completely aware of your rights at this time.

At, your confidence and trust matters most to us. Each member of our firm works hard to make your dream of becoming a citizen a reality. We have the resources to assist you throughout this process.