immigration laws - tips and information that can help

3 Common Reasons For Deportation

27 January 2022 by Charlotte Perez

If you have a green card or nonimmigrant visa, you can legally stay in the United States. However, you must abide by the set immigration rules.

Violation of some immigration laws may not necessarily result in deportation. For instance, if found guilty of marriage fraud, you may have to pay hefty fines or even face jail time. However, if you violate more serious immigration laws, you could lose your resident status.

That's why you need to understand what immigration violations can get you deported. Take a look at the legal grounds for deportation in the US.

Disregard for Immigration Law 

If found guilty of any immigration law violation, you're likely to face deportation. Examples of these immigration law violations include:

• Immigration fraud
• Unlawful presence in the country
• Failure to renew immigration documents on time

To avoid deportation, you need to follow all immigration rules. Additionally, you should adhere to your visa conditions. That means, if you have a tourist visa, you cannot take up a job in the US. Also, if you have a nonimmigrant visa such as a work permit or student visa, you can't engage in unauthorized activities such as work or studies outside the scope of your visa.

You also need to notify immigration officers of your change of address. In doing so, you become eligible for certain immigration privileges such as travel or reentry permits.

If you do not abide by these rules, immigration officers will issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) in an immigration court. Once you receive this notice, you have to show up for your hearing.

Based on the evidence against you, the judge will determine whether you can remain in the US or not. But if you want to build a strong defense, you need to hire a competent immigration lawyer to argue your case.

Criminal Convictions

If found guilty of a crime such as aggravated felony, you also face deportation. The crimes that may lead to deportation include:

• Crimes against minors such as human trafficking or child pornography
• Tax evasion
• Drug-related crimes

Even misdemeanors such as theft and assault could make an immigrant subject to deportation.

If convicted of multiple misdemeanor charges on separate occasions, immigration officers may deem you a threat to public safety. They may look at the cumulative sentences to determine whether or not you'll be deported. For instance, if you serve a lengthy jail time for both theft and drug crimes, immigration officers may use your prison sentence as evidence to deport you.

Immigration officers won't initiate deportation proceedings if an immigrant gets convicted of only one misdemeanor charge. However, these officers can use the conviction to deny you benefits such as an immigration visa. If you want to put up a fight, don't hesitate to contact an experienced immigration attorney to argue your case. 

For more information, contact an immigration attorney near you.

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