The immigration system seems inconsistent.

Some are given another chance to live in the US despite their offenses while others are deported. In determining whether the person should be deported, if the conviction occurred more than 15 years ago what should be considered is evidence of the immigrant wholeheartedly acknowledging his mistakes and showing a significant life change. People come to the US in hopes of living a better life than the one lived in their home country. Sometimes they lose sight of that and end up getting into trouble with the law.  If people are sincere in improving their lives it will show by how they live. Fifteen years is sufficient time to prove one’s earnestness in getting their life together. We are all human and we make mistakes. We should also be given a second opportunity to make things right.

For instance, an immigrant who grows up in the United States after escaping poverty in his or her home country can face deportation after establishing himself or herself in the United States.

This immigration calamity can happen if the immigrant were to be convicted of a deportable offense. Of the many people that have been deported from this country, most have some sort of criminal record. The decision for these immigrants with a criminal record to be deported is cause for debate. Some believe that immigration law should be strictly followed. Others argue that an immigrant’s rehabilitation should be considered as well. Is it really fair to deport someone for a crime committed more than twenty years ago and after that immigrant defendant has paid his or her debt to society?

Like many people regardless of citizenship status, some get in trouble in their youth but ones that are not US Citizens face an even harsher consequence such as deportation. Also like many that have gotten into trouble in their youth, most immigrant defendants change their way of life. Many become loyal employees, become sober, and become committed members of their families contributing to their community. In our current immigration system, having a history of offenses jeopardizes an immigrant’s chances of remaining in the US. When an immigrant commits a crime, whether it is a minor or serious offense, it remains in his record- it becomes a part of his past that stays with him. Even if an undocumented immigrant genuinely changes his lifestyle, making a positive impact on society and not breaking the law, after a conviction his status as an undocumented immigrant is no longer in good standing.

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Nothing can impact your life or the life of a family member more than one’s immigration status. Are you interested in obtaining immigration benefits? Do you have a plan in action for success? At the Uribe & Uribe APLC we can help you create a strategy for success.