The current presidential administration has ramped up immigration law enforcement to such a strict degree that foreign nationals living in the United States are getting arrested at a terrifying pace. Even permanent residents with green cards, who have lived in the United States for decades are at risk of getting arrested by ICE agents. However, the people who are most at risk of deportation are the many undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
After being arrested for an immigration law violation and scheduled for a deportation hearing, accused individuals will have various defense options available depending on their situations. In some cases, especially when deportation appears likely, the arrested individual might want to consider applying for a voluntary departure.
One of the benefits of a voluntary departure is it may assist the accused person to finalize his or her court proceedings faster, without the risk of getting hit with exorbitant fees. In some cases, the arrested person may have fewer barriers in the way of returning to the United States one day if he or she is not subjected to a formal removal.
Those who opt for a voluntary departure will usually have to pay a down payment of at least $500 to guarantee they will actually leave the country. They will also have to fund the cost of their return tickets, and they will typically have a departure deadline of between 60 and 120 days after the judge approves of the request for voluntary departure.
If you or your loved one is facing the risk of deportation and removal in the United States, it’s vital that understand your legal rights while getting strategic to find a viable and lawful solution to your situation.