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Deportation

Learn about the deportation process, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and other related issues.

Deportation

Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from the U.S. for violating an immigration law.

The Deportation Process

The United States may deport foreign nationals who participate in criminal acts, are a threat to public safety, or violate their visa.

Those who come to the U.S. without travel documents or with forged documents may be deported quickly without an immigration court hearing under an order of expedited removal. Others may go before a judge in a longer deportation (removal) process.

  • The foreign national may be held in a detention center prior to trial or deportation. See a map of ICE detention facilities or use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.

  • An Immigration Court of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) hears the related case.

  • If a judge rules that the deportation proceeds, the receiving country of the person being deported must agree to accept them and issue travel documents before the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carries out a removal order.

  • The majority of removals are carried out by air at U.S. government expense, although some removals may use a combination of air and ground transportation. Learn more about the removal of deported foreign nationals by air.

  • Criminal aliens who have committed nonviolent crimes may be subject to Rapid REPAT.

If You Are Facing Deportation (Removal)

  • Before completing removal proceedings, you may be able to leave the U.S. on your own, also known as voluntary departure.

  • Contact a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office near you for questions about deportation.

  • If you feel that your civil rights have been violated in the immigration, detention, or removal proceedings process, you can file a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security.

Appeal a Deportation Order

You may appeal certain deportation rulings. Seek legal advice before making an appeal; there are nonprofit organizations that can help. Contact the USCIS if you have questions about filing an appeal.

Apply for Readmission After Deportation or Removal

If you are deported, you may be able to file an I-212 form to apply for readmission to the U.S. Contact the USCIS for more information about applying for readmission after deportation.

Locate a Person Held for an Immigration Violation

You can locate someone who:

  • Is currently detained for possible violation of immigration laws 

  • Was released within the last 60 days from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility

To do so, use the Online Detainee Locator System. Or, contact the field offices of the Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations. If you know the facility where the person is being held, call that immigration detention facility directly.

For information about the status of a particular court case, contact the immigration court.

Report an Immigration Violation

To report a person you think may be in the U.S. illegally, use the Homeland Security Investigations online tip form or call 1-866-347-2423 (in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada) or 1-802-872-6199 (from other countries).

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Last Updated: January 28, 2021

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