What are Grounds of Deportation?

April 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Aliens are subject to removal from the United States for the following grounds of deportation:
• Status violations: Persons who violate the his immigration status in the United States may be subject to removal. Persons inadmissible at the time of entry are subject to removal under INA § 237(a)(1)(A) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(A)], which incorporates all of the grounds of inadmissibility. Additionally, persons in the United States in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act or any other law of the United States are subject to removal INA § 237(a)(1)(B) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(B)]. For example, persons who remain in the United States longer than authorized and persons who enter the United States without inspection are within this group. Persons who fail to maintain non-immigrant status have violated their immigration status and are subject to removal. INA § 237(a)(1)(C) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(C)]. Under this provision, failure to maintain non-immigrant status and failure to comply with the terms, conditions and controls imposed under INA § 212(g) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1182(g)], concerning waivers for persons with communicable or physical or mental disorders, constitute deportable offenses. Aliens whose conditional permanent residence has been terminated are subject to removal as status violators. INA § 237(a)(1)(D) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(D)]. Aliens who have encouraged, assisted, abetted or aided illegal immigration at the time of any entry or within five years of any entry are subject to removal. INA § 237(a)(1)(E) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(E)].Finally, aliens who enter into fraudulent marriages for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits are subject to removal. INA § 237(a)(1)(G) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(1)(G)].
• Public charge: If a person has within five years of entering the United States become a public charge resulting from causes not arising after entry, he or she will be subject to deportation under the public charge ground. INA § 237(a)(5) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(5)].
• Security and related grounds: Under INA § 237(a)(4) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(4)], an alien is deportable who has engaged, is engaged, or at any time after entry has engaged in any activity to violate any law of the United States relating to espionage, sabotage, or laws prohibiting export of goods, technology, or sensitive information from the United States, any other criminal activity which endangers public safety or national security or any activity the purpose of which is to oppose, control, or overthrow by force, violence, or other unlawful means, the U.S. government. Under INA § 237(a)(4)(B) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(4)(B)], an alien who has engaged, is engaging, or at any time after entry has engaged in any terrorist activity as defined in INA § 212(a)(3)(B)(iv) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(3)(B)(iv)] is deportable. Under INA § 237(a)(4)(C) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(4)(C)], an alien is deportable if the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that the presence or activities in the United States of such alien may have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Finally, under INA § 237(a)(4)(D) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(4)(D)], Nazi war criminals and persons who have engaged in conduct defined as genocide for purposes of the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.
• Failure to register and falsification of documents: Aliens in the United States are required to report any change in address to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). INA § 265 []. Failure to register a change of address is a deportable offense unless the alien can show that such failure was reasonably excusable or not willful. INA § 237(a)(3)(A) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(3)(A)]. An alien is deportable if he or she is convicted for a violation of INA § 266(c) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1306(c)] (fraudulent statements) or Section 36(c) of the Alien Registration Act; for a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act; or, for a violation of 18 U.S.C.A. § 1546 (relating to fraud and misuse of visas) regardless of sentence imposed. An alien with a final administrative order for a violation of INA § 274C (document fraud) is subject to removal. INA § 237(a)(3)(C)(i) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(3)(C)(i)]. Finally, a person who falsely represents or who has falsely represented himself or herself to be a United States citizen to obtain benefits under the Immigration & Nationality Act, federal or state law is deportable8 U.S.C.A. § 1305. INA § 237(a)(3)(D) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(3)(D)].
• Unlawful voting: Under INA § 237(a)(6) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(6)], any person who has voted in violation of any federal, state or local provision, statute, ordinance or regulation is subject to removal. A conviction is not required.
• Criminal grounds: Aliens who are convicted of or admit to the commission of certain crimes, including multiple criminal convictions, crimes of moral turpitude, aggravated felonies, high speed flight, drug related offenses, firearms violations, and domestic violence, stalking and protective order violations, are subject to removal. INA § 237(a)(2) [8 U.S.C.A. § 1227(a)(2)].

# # #

I have been a licensed attorney since 1992. I have passed a rigorous examination and extensive experience requirements by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. My firm helps with deportation, green cards, work permits, etc.