Thousands of people find themselves facing deportation proceedings every year. This can be a nerve-racking experience, as it means the potential end of the person’s stay in the United States.
Deportation proceedings can be brought for many reasons, including overstaying a visa, committing a criminal offense and violating other U.S. immigration laws. However, it is important to note that you may be able to raise several defenses to deportation proceedings. Here are a few things to consider.
1. Adjustment of status
Deportation proceedings can often come as a shock. You may have entered the U.S. lawfully and not realized that your visa has expired or that you had breached other immigration laws. If you have immediate relatives who are U.S. citizens, then you may be eligible to apply for a green card.
Obtaining a green card could allow you to adjust your immigration status and remain in the United States.
2. Temporary protected status (TPS)
If returning to your host country would be dangerous, you may be eligible for temporary protected status (TPS). The government has a list of countries that currently qualify for TPS. It’s important to note that TPS is not a permanent measure. It does not allow you to remain in the United States indefinitely. However, it could prevent immediate deportation proceedings and allow you to pursue other legal avenues to remain in the United States.
These are just some potential defenses to deportation proceedings. If you are facing deportation, it’s important to act quickly. To explore your options in more detail, it will be helpful to seek legal guidance.