Once you obtain a green card and your lawful resident status, you may finally feel secure about your presence in the United States. However, even with this status, you must understand that your eligibility to remain in the country is not guaranteed. With that being said, please continue reading to learn whether a green card holder like yourself can potentially be deported and how an experienced green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can protect your stay here.
As a green card holder, can I be deported from the United States?
You may have assumed that, as a green card holder, you are now permitted to live and work in the United States. While this may be true, it is contingent upon your compliance with federal immigration laws and avoidance of certain criminal offenses. Without further ado, below are some, but not all, examples of grounds for your deportation from the country:
- A violation of any of the following immigration laws:
- Committing marriage fraud.
- Violating certain travel and documentation restrictions.
- Failing to inform U.S. immigration authorities of a change of address.
- Providing false information to register with the U.S. immigration authorities.
- Representing yourself as a U.S. citizen falsely to gain an immigration benefit.
- Becoming a public charge for reasons that did not exist when gaining entry to the U.S.
- A guilty verdict for any of the following criminal offenses:
- Committing a drug crime.
- Committing an aggravated felony.
- Committing a crime of moral turpitude.
- Guilty of espionage, sabotage, treason, or sedition.
- Guilty of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment.
- Guilty of illegally buying, selling, possessing, or engaging in transactions of firearms, weapons, or destructive devices.
What is the process of getting deported from the United States?
Unless unique circumstances apply, you will not face an expedited removal from the United States. Rather, you may have an opportunity to fight against deportation in front of an immigration judge. You will first be informed about your pending case with a Notice to Appear by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This notice, served to you in person or by mail, informs you of the reasons why the government believes you are deportable from the country, along with the date and time you should appear for your first hearing.
This Master Calendar Hearing will inform you of the charges against you, your rights to legal representation, and the date and time for your subsequent individual hearing. This individual hearing is where you and the government will both present your cases before an immigration judge. Most unfortunately, if a judge decides to move forward with a final order of removal, the DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may make arrangements for your exit from the country. This is unless you file a motion to appeal the decision before it is too late.
We understand just how overwhelming all of this can be for you. So if you have any remaining questions, please consult with a skilled green card lawyer in Milwaukee, WI. The team at Sesini Law Group, S.C., is willing and able to provide you with legal assistance at any capacity.