Deportation

Deportation is the legal removal of a foreign-born individual when the United States government decides they should no longer remain in the U.S. because they are either here illegally or they do not have a valid visa or green card. Individuals who are deported cannot legally regain entry for at least five years. Persons may be deported if they are convicted of a narcotics crime or convicted of murder, illegal trafficking of firearms, money laundering, or crimes of violence that carry a sentence of 5 or more years.

There are several ways to get relief from deportation. For instance, you may request a suspension of the deportation, seek asylum, ask for a withholding of deportation, or leave the country voluntarily. If you are facing deportation, talk to a lawyer about other possible methods to stay in the country.

Prior to September 2002, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was charged with regulating immigration issues. Now the powers have been transferred to the Department of Homeland Security, and the immigration service functions of the INS are now placed under the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).