Deportation—referred to as “removal” in U.S. law—is the legal process of removing a non-citizen from the country for violating immigration laws. What is the most common reason for deportation? The most common reason is criminal activity. Other common reasons include being unlawfully present in the U.S., committing fraud, violating the terms or conditions of a visa, and failing to...
Continue ReadingDo illegal immigrants have constitutional rights? Does the Constitution apply to illegal immigrants? Do illegal immigrants have rights? What rights do illegal immigrants have? While we object to calling undocumented individuals “illegal immigrants,” we understand that many people wonder, What rights do immigrants have in the United States? Do illegal immigrants have constitutional rights? Yes, immigrants are protected by...
Continue ReadingAsylum is one of the most important ways for individuals fleeing danger to find a safe new home. Asylees—individuals who have been granted asylum protection—must wait at least one year after being granted asylum before applying for a green card—lawful permanent resident status. Once that year passes, how long it takes to get a green card after asylum approval...
Continue ReadingYou may be wondering, How long do you have to be married to get a green card? As long as you are in a genuine, legal marriage, there is no length requirement. Marrying a U.S. citizen is one of the fastest ways to get a green card. The total wait time for a marriage-based green card averages about 9.3...
Continue ReadingBecoming a U.S. citizen through the naturalization process takes many steps and years. But are there significant differences between U.S. citizenship vs. naturalization? In short, naturalization is one way to obtain U.S. citizenship. Naturalized citizens have essentially the same legal rights as those who obtained citizenship in another way. The primary difference, then, is the naturalization process. Contact EMP...
Continue ReadingWhen the US government concludes you are in the country without authorization or have violated the terms of your status, it may place you in removal or deportation proceedings. These proceedings are how the government determines whether non-US citizens have the legal right to come to or stay in the US. A Master Hearing is the first step in the Immigration...
Continue ReadingCan a U.S. citizen be deported? The short, practical answer is no—U.S. citizens generally cannot be deported. Once someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they have full constitutional protections and the right to remain in the country. Although they apply to very few individuals, U.S. law does authorize the government to revoke citizenship in specific and rare circumstances through a...
Continue ReadingIf Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains you, you may wonder: How long can ICE hold you before deportation? The answer depends on the specifics of your situation. ICE can request local criminal agencies hold a person for up to 48 hours while deciding whether to begin removal (deportation) proceedings. If ICE initiates a deportation proceeding in immigration court,...
Continue ReadingAsylum allows individuals fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries to permanently settle in the U.S., potentially saving their lives. But how long does the asylum process take? Many factors influence the typical asylum processing time, including whether the individual is in removal proceedings and the backlog of cases pending with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)...
Continue ReadingMarriage to a US citizen can provide a path to lawful status. But can you be deported if you are married to a US citizen? Even if you are married to a citizen, you can still face deportation. Sometimes, you can avoid deportation based on your marriage, but it is not a guarantee, especially if you have a history...
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