When you came to the United States, you knew that you were making a huge change to your life and that of your family. You may have tried to do everything right, having every piece of paper you needed and following every immigration law or regulation.
Or, you may have immigrated to the U.S., becoming an undocumented individual. If you came here with your parents as a child, you may have one defense against deportation.
Even if you tried to do everything right, you may be deported
Every day, you may have been aware that you needed to do everything just right. This may have included following every traffic law so you would not receive a traffic ticket. Or you may have been with another immigrant who was accused of committing a crime. Now, your whole future in the U.S. may be in danger
Holding a green card and permanent resident status may not protect you. If you want to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you need to learn about everything you may be able to do to avoid deportation. Learning about removal defenses may be what keeps you in the U.S.
Different ways to stay in the United States
- Discretionary relief means showing that you may be eligible for relief under immigration law
- Asylum means you cannot return to your home country
- Cancellation of removal may be achieved in front of an immigration judge as long as you are a permanent resident
Other procedures that may allow you to stay in the U.S.
Administrative appeal and judicial review may be an option if you disagree with the immigration judge’s ruling. The BIA may overturn your removal order, as long as the appeal was filed within 30 days of the judge’s order.
Voluntary departure may be a last-resort option. You may be able to seek readmission at a port of entry.