Prince William County Deportation Defense Lawyer

Obtaining a Green Card is an arduous process, but the reward can be great. Lawful permanent residents may reside in the U.S. indefinitely and enjoy most of the benefits enjoyed by U.S. citizens. For this reason, numerous individuals apply for Green Cards each year. Unfortunately, however, a small fraction of Green Card holders and other non-U.S. citizens will be forced to return to their home countries for a variety of reasons.

Removal, often referred to as deportation, is the process of expelling a lawful permanent resident from the U.S. Being forcibly removed from the U.S. can be a scary prospect, especially because individuals who have been removed will not be allowed back into the country for many years. If you or a loved one is currently facing deportation, you should immediately contact a Prince William County deportation defense lawyer. A seasoned immigration lawyer will be knowledgeable about the deportation process.

Automatic Grounds for Deportation

Legally, anyone who is unlawfully in the United States is subject to removal. Undocumented immigrants (those present in the U.S. without authorization) who are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are entitled to appear before an immigration judge to determine their eligibility to remain in the U.S. However, those who already have a removal/deportation order or who have had one in the past may not possess this right and will have to reopen their old case in order to go forward before an immigration judge. According to the federal government, an individual is considered to be present without status if:

• They entered the United States without permission;
• Their admission to the U.S. has been terminated or revoked;
• They failed to maintain the status under which they were admitted; or
• They procured their visa or Green Card via fraud.

Individuals can be removed or deported if they used false documents to obtain a visa or Green Card.

Crimes Warranting Deportation

If a legal foreign national is convicted of certain crimes, they can be removed to their home country. A criminal conviction is one of the most common reasons for removal, and the U.S. government will expel any foreign citizen who has committed a removable offense and is ineligible for relief from such removal. In general, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) and visa holders can be deported for the following crimes:

• Serious drug offenses;
• Domestic violence;
• Firearm offenses;
• Crimes involving moral turpitude (ex: theft, crimes involving fraud, child molestation, sexual assault, human trafficking); and
• Aggravated felonies.

If a person is admitted but it is later found they have been convicted of any of the crimes listed above in their home country, they can be placed in removal proceedings.

Lawful permanent residents can also be deported for fraud. Entering a fraudulent marriage to obtain a Green Card or using false documents to obtain government benefits can result in deportation. For example, using falsified documents to obtain SNAP or disability benefits can result in a criminal conviction and deportation.

Speak With a Prince William County Deportation Defense Attorney Today

If you or someone you care about is currently facing removal or deportation, it is normal to feel hopeless, confused, and angry. Many of those who are removed face enormous hardship upon returning to their home countries and some may even face immediate danger. For this reason, if you are facing removal or deportation, it is important to act as quickly as possible.

Speak with a Prince William County deportation defense lawyer today to learn more about your options.