Just because you are a naturalized citizen of the United States, it doesn’t mean you cannot or will not face deportation by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There are some valid reasons why you could be deported, and these include the commission of a crime. If you are faced with an ICE deportation request, you should consult an ICE deportation lawyer immediately about your situation.

Why are Deportation Requests Falsely Issued?

According to a report released by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in March 2019, there were 420 false detainer requests issued by ICE for legal United States citizens in Miami-Dade between 2017 and 2019. Of the 420 requests, only 83 were voluntarily rescinded by ICE. ICE records show that this number is well over 2,800 dating back to 2002. There is no telling how many of these 420 people were held by police for a false deportation order.  

Most incorrect ICE deportation requests occur because of incorrect information or mistakes in paperwork for those who face deportation. Mistakes can be made by the person completing the paperwork, who winds up facing deportation later, or by a person working for ICE who is responsible for filing or completing paperwork for recordkeeping.

The report from the ACLU stated the following, according to the Miami New Times:

“These errors can have profound consequences, both for the people who are wrongly held and for the agencies that hold them. As recent cases illustrate, U.S. citizens have been kept in jail away from their jobs and families, and they have faced the terror of being told they would soon be deported from their only home. Many have spent time in immigration jail, and some have even been deported.”

How to Fight Wrongful Deportation Charges

The most important thing you can do if you are facing an illegal deportation order from ICE is to file a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for violation of your civil rights. It is best to file a complaint with the help of an experienced immigration criminal defense attorney. Your complaint will be reviewed by the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). 

Aside from filing a complaint with DHS, you should also consult a criminal defense attorney. Even though you are a legal United States citizen, you will still benefit from working with an attorney, especially one who has represented clients facing deportation in the past. 

If you obtained citizenship after coming to the country legally, you will want to keep all of your naturalization documents in a safe place. This will help make it easier for a family member or lawyer to provide the documents to the proper authorities to have you released if ever faced with deportation.

Facing Deportation as a Citizen? Call Piotrowski Law Today

If you or a loved one is facing an illegal deportation order, speak with an experienced immigration criminal defense attorney in Florida about your case. Contact the office of Piotrowski Law at 305-204-5000 to schedule a consultation today. Chad Piotrowski has a decade of experience representing clients just like you in their fight to remain in the country despite facing an illegal deportation order from ICE.