Top 10 Reasons You Can Be Deported from the U.S. and How to Protect Yourself

Avoiding Deportation: What Every Immigrant Needs to Know

For millions of immigrants in the United States, the threat of deportation is a constant concern. Whether you’re here on a student visa, work permit, green card, or undocumented, certain actions—sometimes even honest mistakes—can result in removal proceedings. At Spar & Bernstein, we’ve defended clients against deportation for decades. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 reasons people are deported from the U.S.—and how knowing the law can help you stay protected.

10. Violating the Terms of Your Visa

Working without authorization while on a tourist or student visa is a common and serious violation. Even unpaid internships or freelance gigs can trigger removal if they violate the conditions of your status. If you’re unsure whether your activity is permitted, legal guidance is critical.

9. Losing Your Asylum Case

Applying for asylum doesn’t protect you indefinitely. If your claim is denied at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), before an immigration judge, and through all appeals, you can face deportation. The process is complex, and outcomes can depend on how well your case is presented.

8. Making a False Claim to U.S. Citizenship

One of the most unforgiving grounds for deportation is falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen—intentionally or not. Even checking the wrong box on an I-9 employment form canhave permanent consequences. Unlike many other grounds of removal, there are virtually no waivers for this one.

7. Involvement in Terrorism or National Security Threats

Engaging in or being associated with terrorism or posing a threat to U.S. national security leads to immediate and often irreversible deportation. There is no discretionary relief in these cases.

6. Drug Offenses

Any drug conviction—except for a single possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana—makes you deportable. This includes possession, distribution, or paraphernalia charges. Even lawful permanent residents can lose their green cards after a conviction.

5. Lying to Immigration Authorities (Misrepresentation)

Any intentional misstatement on a visa, green card, or asylum application—even minor ones—can be considered misrepresentation. This includes lying about your marital status, income, or criminal history. It can bar you from future immigration benefits and trigger deportation.

4. Marriage Fraud

Entering into a marriage solely for immigration benefits is a federal crime. Paying someone to marry you or being paid to marry someone else for papers is not just fraud—it’s a fast track to deportation and possible imprisonment.

3. Criminal Convictions

Many crimes make immigrants deportable, including theft, fraud, domestic violence, and assault. Some may be classified as aggravated felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, both of which carry harsh immigration penalties.

2. Overstaying Your Visa

If you’re granted a specific period of stay—six months for a tourist, six years for an H1B—and you remain past that expiration, you are unlawfully present. Overstaying can trigger a 3-year, 10-year, or permanent bar from reentry, depending on the length of time.

1. Entering Without Inspection or Using Fake Documents

Entering the U.S. without passing through a port of entry, or using fake passports, visas, or someone else’s documents, is the leading reason for deportation. It not only puts you at risk for removal but limits your options for adjusting status in the future.

How Spar & Bernstein Can Help Protect Your Status

At Spar & Bernstein, we understand the legal nuances and human stories behind each immigration case. Whether you’re facing removal, want to file a waiver, or need to know your options after a visa overstay or criminal charge, our immigration attorneys are here to help. We will assess your case, represent you in immigration court, and work toward legal remedies tailored to your situation.

If you’re concerned about any of these grounds for deportation—or if you’ve received a Notice to Appear (NTA)—don’t wait. Contact Spar & Bernstein today to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.

Let us help you stay in the country you call home.