Are you facing deportation? You may not have to leave the U.S.

Immigrants are valuable members of our society, serving in important employment roles and community organizations and events. Sometimes, immigrants are not in the U.S. legally and are facing deportation. Those who are facing deportation should know that they may not need to leave the U.S.

Immigrants to the U.S. come here to build a better life for themselves and their family. Depending on a person’s situation, there are various options they may be able to use to avoid deportation. Foreign nationals may be able to appeal certain deportation rulings. While they are in the appeals process they can apply for a stay on their deportation. A person may also want to see if they could be eligible for a green card. They may qualify because they have immediate relatives who are citizens. Or, they can apply for asylum if they have a credible fear of persecution or torture in their home country.

Another option for those facing deportation is to file a civil rights complaint with homeland security if they feel their civil rights were violated when they were in detention for immigration violations. Finally, an immigrant can leave the U.S. voluntarily. This authorizes a person to remain in the U.S. until a specified date. When the person returns to their home country that person can file paperwork with the U.S. Embassy to verify their voluntary departure. This allows a person to not have a deportation on their record and allows them the ability to return to the U.S. at a later date with a legal visa.

Many immigrants come to the U.S. to seek a better life. Their life in their home country was not safe for them and their family. Those who are facing deportation should know that they still have legal rights.