Deportation is a process of removing noncitizens from the United States. Depending on the circumstances of an individual, removal may be necessary or desirable for their protection or well-being, but it must occur in accordance with U.S. law and international obligations. Expedited removal is a central feature of the United States’s processing of noncitizens and should have important procedural safeguards to ensure that people are not removed in violation of their rights.
Mass deportation would be an incredibly costly enterprise for American communities and the nation as a whole. Among other things, American businesses that depend on the labor of undocumented immigrants would struggle to fill critical positions and curtail hiring, resulting in lower production and higher consumer prices. Removing unauthorized workers would also impose significant financial costs on the families of those workers, who would likely lose their jobs, face uncertainty about where they and their children could live, and suffer from strained family dynamics.
In addition, mass deportation would require a drastic ramping up of immigration enforcement operations and local police departments, with the federal government directing police officers to patrol neighborhoods in search of undocumented persons. This could divert resources from more important functions, such as addressing crime in the community and responding to natural disasters. It would also strain the military, which is already stretched thin in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Individuals in removal proceedings, if they are able to access the necessary legal services, have several opportunities to seek relief from removal including cancellation of removal, asylum, and re-instatement of their prior immigration status. However, those seeking these forms of relief are generally prohibited from pursuing them while in expedited removal proceedings. This limits their ability to defend themselves against allegations of serious criminal activity or terrorism-related offenses, and prevents them from being removed to countries where they are at high risk for torture and other types of persecution.
If an immigration judge issues a final order of removal, the individual is deported at government expense. Some individuals who receive a Notice to Appear (NTA), the first step in the deportation process, choose to voluntarily leave the country at their own expense before ICE officials arrest them. This is known as “self-deportation.”
Self-deportation should only be considered a last resort after all other options have been exhausted and is not a guarantee that you will not be removed from the United States. It is important to consult with a qualified immigration lawyer to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions. A lawyer can help you assess whether self-deportation is right for you, and if it is not, they can assist you with filing an appeal. During this time, it is important to consider your support system, make arrangements for any loved ones you will be leaving behind, and pack your belongings. Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to reach out to local community organizations that can provide legal or social assistance.