Deportation is the process of removing a foreign national from the United States due to violations of immigration laws. Although there are many different grounds for deportation, this blog discusses the three most common reasons which include the following:
1. Violation of immigration laws: This category includes a wide range of issues, such as entering the United States without proper documents, overstaying the authorized length of a visa or violating the terms of a person’s authorized status. For example, someone who enters the U.S. on a tourist visa but then starts working without first obtaining work authorization from the government could face deportation for violation of immigration laws.
2. Criminal convictions: Non-citizens, including legal permanent residents (“green card” holders), can be removed from the United States if they are convicted of certain crimes. The list of deportable offenses is quite extensive and includes both misdemeanors and felonies, such as crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, firearms offenses, aggravated felonies, and domestic violence. The severity of the crime and the individual’s criminal history can affect the likelihood of deportation.