Illegal Immigration Defense Attorney in Houston

Houston Deportation Defense Lawyers

According to The Lone Star Foundation, the immigration rate has exploded in Texas, "In 1970, there were only 310,000 foreign-born citizens in the state. By 1990, that number had increased 391 percent, to 1.5 million. According to a 2004 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the number of foreign-born residents of Texas in that year was 3.45 million, 1,100 percent of the 1970 number." While these numbers largely represent legal immigrants, a proportionally growing percentage comes from illegal immigrants.

According to U.S. law, it is a violation for:

"Any immigrant to enter or attempt to enter the U.S. at any place or time not designated by immigration officers, to elude inspection by officers, to enter or attempt to enter by using false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of material facts."

As a border state, according to The Census Bureau, Texas is home to 15% of all illegal immigrants in the United States. Because many of the jobs that immigrants take don't meet the criteria for a work visa, often they choose to cross the border illegally to work on their own. When this occurs, a person can be subject to fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

Penalties for Illegal Immigrants

For a first time offense, an offender can face up to six months in jail and a fine between $50 and $250. A subsequent violation can result in a prison sentence up to two years and a fine between $100 and $500. The worst scenario is that a person could be subject to these penalties, and then following release from prison, be deported. With the help of a Houston deportation defense attorney from our firm, you can take legal action today.

The Deportation Process

The deportation process works as follows: first you are notified that you must appear at a deportation hearing by the Department of Homeland Security, then you must attend the deportation hearing and depending on the ruling, you either must leave the United States or, if you're eligible, you can apply to receive a type of relief, such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status or asylum. All of these types of relief allow you to stay in the U.S.

You could be eligible for cancellation of removal if you've been in the U.S. for 10 straight years, during this time period you were not served a notice to appear (NTA), you were a person of "good moral character," and you show that your removal would be a hardship to your family.

Adjustment of Status and Asylum

Illegal immigrants are not eligible for an adjustment of status. You are only eligible for adjustment of status if you are admissible for permanent residence and an immigrant visa is readily available for you. If you did not appear at the removal proceedings or violated restrictions on your temporary visa, you are also ineligible for an adjustment of status.

If you are a refugee from your homeland, asylum could be granted to you. If you were persecuted or fear for your life due to your race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social or political group, asylum is a viable option for you.