If You Are Facing Deportation, Put Your Defense In The Hands Of Our Attorneys
We can help you apply for a variety of immigration relief programs, including, but not limited to:
- Asylum. If you face persecution if you are returned to the country of your birth or citizenship, and you have been in the United States for less than a year, you may qualify for asylum.
- Withholding of Removal. This form of relief is similar to asylum in that it protects immigrants who fear returning to their countries of origin because they would face risks to their lives or freedom, but it is for people who have been in the United States for more than a year.
- Convention Against Torture (CAT). If you can prove a likelihood of being tortured if you are returned to the country of your birth or citizenship, you may qualify for relief under CAT.
- Cancellation of Removal. If an undocumented immigrant has been here for 10 years, or if a permanent resident (“green card” holder) has been here for seven years, the person in danger of deportation may be able to prevent deportation through cancellation of removal. We will review your specific case to determine if you qualify for this special form of relief.
- Violence against Women Act (VAWA). Family members and children who have been abused by a spouse or parent who is a legal permanent resident or U.S. citizen may qualify for legal status under VAWA.
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Immigrant children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected may qualify for this program, which can result in the child avoiding deportation and receiving a green card.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deportation
Our lawyers know that facing deportation is terrifying. If you have questions about the process and your rights, our lawyers can help. Some frequently asked questions that we hear about deportation include:
- What are the grounds for deportation? There are numerous reasons why an immigrant to the U.S. may be deported. Some of these reasons include failing to obey the terms of a visa or green card, failure to maintain legal status in the United States, changing one’s address and failing to report it to Citizenship and Immigration Services, violating an immigration law, and committing a crime. Because of the worry of deportation, interactions with the police can be very concerning for immigrants. Note, however, that not all crimes can result in deportation. Drug crimes, felony offenses, and crimes of terrorism are likely to result in deportation.
- Can I leave the U.S. on my own? If you are facing deportation, one option that you have is to leave the United States on your own through voluntary departure. While leaving the U.S. on your own may not be what you are hoping for—indeed, your goal is likely to remain within the U.S.—leaving on your own will eliminate the need for a deportation proceeding, and therefore the deportation will not be on your record if you try to legally enter the U.S. in the future. However, it is critical not to depart without first obtaining a voluntary departure order. Departing while deportation proceedings are pending without a voluntary departure order will cause a “self-deportation,” which is the same as a deportation. Entering unlawfully after a deportation can cause devastating consequences. Consult with our attorneys to help assess if voluntary departure is an appropriate solution.
- Can I apply for a green card when facing deportation? If you are facing removal because you are undocumented, you may have the option to apply for an adjustment of status while facing deportation proceedings. Adjusting your status may grant you the temporary or permanent right to remain in the United States. To seek an adjustment of status, you will need someone to file the petition on your behalf—usually a family member. If applicable, you could also file a petition for asylum if you believe that returning to your country will put you in danger.
- Can I apply for readmission to the U.S.? Whether or not you will be able to reenter the country legally if you are deported by the United States government will depend on the details of your case and the details of your future circumstances. Usually, someone who has been deported will not be allowed to reenter the country; however, this is not true in all circumstances, as some people are able to apply for waivers of their deportations. There is a special application for a waiver of deportation called Form I-212 that our attorneys can assist with. It will be important to consult with an immigration attorney to learn more about whether applying for readmission will be a possibility in your situation.
- How does working with a deportation attorney help? The risk of deportation is very real for some immigrants to the United States, even including those who have immigrated legally to the country. If you are facing deportation and are not sure what your options are, one of the best places to start is to schedule a consultation with a Nashville immigration attorney. An immigration attorney can review the details of your deportation and build your case, helping to create a defense to deportation that is successful. Your lawyer may be able to prove that you are a U.S. citizen, that the charges against you are false, that you qualify for asylum, or that your application for cancellation of removal is valid. Sometimes, immigration attorneys are able to convince the government to dismiss deportation proceedings if you are not considered a priority for deportation. Your lawyer’s job is to advocate for you.
At Ozment Law, PLC, we have attorneys who focus solely on deportation defense. Their only job is to help you find a way to stay in your home here in the United States. We have represented thousands of immigrants in Nashville and all over Middle Tennessee for immigration issues, and we rely on our vast experience to inform our legal advice to you. We understand that when it comes to the threat of deportation, your future plans and dreams hang in the balance. Deportation defense is one of our main areas, in which we have a high rate of success. We may be able to help you in any number of situations, including:
- Your tourist, student, or employment visa has expired
- You have been arrested or convicted of any crime, no matter how minor
- You have entered, or re-entered, the United States illegally
- You have violated the terms of your admission to the United States
- You have committed marriage fraud
- You have ever joined a prohibited organization, such as a street gang
- Your asylum application has been denied
We Review Your Case, Looking for All Possible Solutions
After a personalized consultation with Elliott Ozment, one of our attorneys will individually meet with you and discuss your unique legal situation. He or she will explain how you may qualify for certain programs or relief from deportation, and help you gather the necessary documentation to apply for those programs.
Let Us Fight Your Deportation Proceedings
We know that being in immigration court can be one of the most stressful times in an immigrant’s life. We also understand that you have worked hard to build your life in the United States, and we will work just as hard to see that you keep it. We would be honored to take the time to discuss the individual circumstances of your case and plan a deportation defense case tailored to you and your family.