If you are living in the U.S. legally, either through a nonimmigrant visa or even with a green card, you should know that you may still need the help of an immigration attorney because you can still be deported.
As a legal resident of the U.S., you do not have the same protection from deportation that citizens have and until you become a naturalized citizen of the United States you are subject to deportation under certain conditions that include but are not limited to:
- Committing marriage fraud to obtain a green card
- Having been inadmissible (for a variety of reasons including having a criminal background, a communicable disease or mental impairment) at the time of entry into the U.S.
- Attempting to smuggle an alien into the U.S.
- Being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (generally, this is a crime that involves some type of depraved, immoral or reprehensible act)
- Being convicted of an aggravated felony
- Being convicted of a drug crime (with some exceptions)
- Being convicted of illegally buying, selling, or possessing firearms
- Being convicted of committing or trying to commit treason, espionage, sabotage or sedition
- Being convicted of domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse
- Failing to register as a sex offender
- Failing to advise immigration authorities of a change of address within 10 days of moving
- Engaging in, or appearing likely to engage in, terrorist activity
- Having participated in Nazi persecution, genocide, or torture
- Becoming a public charge (becoming dependent on government assistance) for reasons that did not arise after entry into the U.S.
- Having voted in violation of federal, state, or local law (exceptions include people who reasonably believe themselves to be U.S. citizens based on the citizenship of their parents)
Even if U.S. immigration authorities decide that you are deportable, you won’t have to leave the country immediately. In most cases, you will be able to defend yourself in immigration court. Your chances of having a favorable outcome are increased when you get the help of an immigration attorney who will not only give you sound legal advice but who can represent you in court. In the Dallas, TX area, a great immigration attorney is Nathan Christensen at The Law Office of Nathan Christensen PC. Call (972) 497-1017 to schedule an appointment and visit www.immigrationlawyerdallastx.com to get more information about immigration into the United States.