Penalties for Reentering the U.S. After Deportation
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For immigrants, the thought of being deported is extremely frightening, and it happens every day. Immigrants can be deported from the United States for several reasons. When the government is successful with their case, deported individuals typically cannot return to the country for five, 10, or 20 years. In some cases, individuals may be barred from ever returning to the United States at all. If you have been deported, or you fear deportation, you may think about coming back to the country, even if you plan to do so illegally. This is not usually a good idea, though, and if the authorities find you, it could result in harsh penalties.
Reasons for Deportation
There are many reasons the immigration authorities in the United States may choose to deport someone or send them back to their home country. Most people think a person will only face deportation if they entered the country illegally, but that is not true. Individuals who are in the United States on a visa, and even those who have a green card, may face deportation under certain circumstances. These include when:
- You fail to comply with the terms of your visa or otherwise fail to maintain your status
- You fail to notify the USCIS of any change of address
- You commit a crime
- You violate certain U.S. immigration laws, such as being involved in a fraudulent marriage
- You receive public assistance
The amount of time you are barred from entering the United States after being deported will depend on the reason for deportation. Reentering the country before that time will come with serious consequences.
Penalties for Illegally Reentering the Country After Deportation
If you reenter the United States illegally after being deported, you could face federal felony charges. The process may only require the reinstatement of your previous removal order. However, in some cases, reentering the United States could result in high fines and up to two years in prison. If your previous order of removal was issued because you committed a crime, you could face up to 10 years in prison and very high fines. If the crime you were convicted of committing was an aggravated felony, you could face up to 20 years in prison and be permanently barred from ever reentering the country.
When a previous order of removal is reinstated, you will not receive a new court order, which means you cannot request relief from removal. Still, there is hope. If you did not attend your initial immigration court hearing, you may still have a right to request a reopening of your case. In this instance, it is even more crucial to speak with an immigration lawyer who can present a strong argument as to why you did not attend your first court hearing.
Our Chicago Immigration Lawyers can Help You Stay in the Country
Reentering the United States after being deported is a serious offense that could result in criminal penalties. If you are thinking about reentering or you have already reentered the country, it is crucial that you speak to an Illinois immigration lawyer. While the case may seem hopeless to you, it is not. You may still have defenses available in your case, and our knowledgeable attorneys at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates will use them to give you the best chance of a positive outcome. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our lawyers.
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We are incredibly grateful for the help and support we received from this office. From the very beginning, they understood the urgency of our situation and treated our case with real care, professionalism, and speed. They were extremely responsive, clear, and compassionate throughout the entire process. They moved quickly when timing was critical, kept us informed, and helped us navigate a very stressful immigration situation with confidence. Thanks to their…
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We hoped and prayed for this day, not knowing if it would ever come. Deportations are incredibly scary and overwhelming. We wanted to give a very special thank you to Jennifer Peyton of Chicago for securing this victory for us! With Jennifer on our side we were able to get our loved one back. On behalf of our family, thank you. When we started this journey, we had hoped and…
Matthew Kriezelman, first of all, thank you very much; you and your team are the best immigration lawyers in Chicago. I had a great experience—your professionalism was outstanding, and you were always there whenever needed. I give you five stars for the wonderful work you and your team did. Thanks again.
Hay momentos en la vida en los que una familia siente que el mundo se detiene. Nosotros vivimos uno de esos momentos y, en medio de la incertidumbre y el miedo, tuvimos la fortuna de encontrar a la abogada Sheila McNulty y al paralegal Rafael Rodríguez . Nos escucharon con empatía, nos guiaron con paciencia y defendieron nuestro caso con un profesionalismo, una dedicación y una calidad humana realmente excepcionales.…
We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Khiabett for her exceptional work and dedication in handling my husband’s removal proceedings case. We also want to thank Agata for her great communication during the gathering of all documents. Khiabett we are incredibly grateful for your expertise, guidance, and persistence throughout the entire process. I can't thank you enough for your empathy and standing by me during such a…
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