Residents of Colorado are likely well aware of the current debate in the United States over immigration and immigrant rights. The current presidential administration has aimed to take a strong stance on the issue.
In one case, a well-known immigration activist, Ravi Ragbir, was arrested while checking in with immigration officials. Mr. Ragbir, a native of Trinidad, has been fighting his deportation from the U.S. since he was convicted of fraud in 2001.
Many people, including his fellow activists, decried Ragbir’s detention as retaliation for his activism. After being held for 18 days, a judge ordered his release. Ragnar continues to fight his immigration case.
This is not the only case of a person who has lived in the United States for a long time being detained as part of a deportation process. Those who do face removal from the country may need to take quick action to prevent actually being deported.
Common reasons why a person may be subject to deportation include initially entering the country illegally, overstaying a legitimate visa or committing a crime. While these are all serious issues, there have been situations in which immigrants have been allowed to remain in the U.S. in spite of them.
Experienced immigration attorneys may be able to stop a deportation order and help a client remain in the United States. For example, an attorney may be able to show that the crime committed by an immigrant does not involve moral turpitude and should not prohibit the individual from remaining in the country. It could also be possible for an attorney to argue that a family member, or family members, in the U.S. would experience extreme hardship if the deportation and removal occurs.