Many immigrants worry about ways to get deported from the United States, but the truth is that legal immigrants seldom face legal deportation so long as they abide by “the rules”.
5 Ways to Get Deported and What You Can Do to Avoid it
1. A Failure to Obey the Terms of Your Visa
If you have been granted a visa to stay in the United States, it’s important that you abide by the rules of that visa. For example, if you have a student visa, it’s important that you maintain student status. If your visa states that you may only stay within the country for three months, you must leave by your leave date. Failure to abide by the terms of your visa can get you deported.
2. Criminal Acts
If you commit certain crimes as an immigrant in the United States it is possible to get deported. These crimes are listed in Section 237(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or I.N.A. and include aggravated felonies, espionage, fraud, terrorism, murder, and rape.
3. Immigration Law Violation
Violation of current immigration laws can also lead to deportation. Violations may include smuggling illegal immigrants into the country or taking part in a fraudulent marriage.
4. Failing to Notify UCIS of an Address Change
As part of your agreement with UCIS when you are permitted entry to the country you agree to keep the UCIS apprised of any change of address. If you move home and fail to notify UCIS you can face deportation. If you are planning on moving you have ten days to notify UCIS of your address change, you can do this via their website here.
5. Receiving Public Assistance Within 5 Years
If you file to receive public assistance within your first 5 years of living in the United States (unless you can prove that the cause of your need arose after you were permitted entry to the country) you can be deported. This violation falls under the heading of becoming a “public charge”, something you agreed not to do when you obtained your green card.
Under the terms of your green card, your sponsors or your petitioner agreed that they would take financial responsibility for you if needed. If you are violating the terms of your green card by claiming public assistance under specific terms, your guarantors may be required to pay back any and all assistance you received in full.
Are You Worried About Deportation?
If you’re worried about deportation or facing deportation at the moment, legal representation can help you to avoid being deported. Nelson and Associates have the resources and understanding to help you to stand up for your rights without fear.
