Every day, we witness immigrants getting deported back to their home countries for various reasons, some for illegal entrance to a foreign nation, others due to expired visas, and some as a result of criminal activities.
Regardless of the reasons behind their deportation, these individuals often face immense challenges and uncertainties upon their return to their home countries.
For them, deportation marks the end of a dream of a better life and opportunities in a foreign land and the beginning of an unplanned journey back home.
Returning to one’s homeland after living in a foreign country, even under difficult circumstances with no plans or nothing to fall back to can be a daunting experience.
Many deported immigrants find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, struggling to reintegrate into a society they have not been a part of for years, or even decades.
This article looks at what happens when you get deported back to your country
Deportation is also known as removal and it’s a legal means through which a foreigner is forced to leave a host country and return to their home country.
Once you are found wanting and all legal processes passed through, the immigration authorities will deport you.
Deportation processes
The legal process of deportation involves the following steps:
- Arrest and detention: Once your host country’s immigration authorities or law enforcement agencies identify that you do not have legal status in the country or have committed a crime worthy of deportation, you will be detained. If you violate immigration laws, you will be detained in immigration detention centers until the deportation proceedings take place.
- Notice to appear (NTA): You will receive an official document called a Notice to Appear, which will show you the reasons for the charges against you.
- Immigration court hearing: You will appear before an immigration judge who will review your case. During the hearing, you will present your case and the government will present theirs. The judge will then decide whether you will be deported or remain in the country.
- Appeals process: If the judge orders deportation, you may have the option to appeal the decision of the judge. In some countries, you can initiate an appeal process (the appeals process varies) immediately after the judge gives a ruling.
- Removal: If you exhaust all legal avenues without getting a positive response, you will be deported back to your home country. Your host country’s immigration authorities will handle your deportation arrangement.
Different countries’ deportation policies
Just like laws differ from one country to another, deportation policies also differ from countries to another.
While some countries have strict immigration policies which lead to swift deportation for even minor infractions other countries have more lenient immigration policies, in some cases, they even allow you to rectify your status or seek asylum.
For instance, the U.S. has complex immigration laws, there are many rules and regulations, so you can be deported for various reasons.
Crimes like unauthorized entry, visa violation, or criminal conviction are enough grounds for deportation.
In countries like the UK, you will be deported if you are deemed a threat to public safety, and if you commit a serious crime or violate any immigration rules, you will also be deported.
What happens when you get deported back to your country
When you get deported back to your home country, you will be received by your country’s immigration or law enforcement authorities at the airport or border crossing. Upon your arrival, you will proceed and undergo documentation.
In some cases, you will be questioned by your country’s authorities, during the questioning, they will try to know the crime you committed which will help them decide whether you will be a threat to other citizens.
If allowing you back into society is a threat, maybe you were deported due to a crime you committed, your country will impose legal consequences, you can be placed on probation, mandatory counseling, or even incarceration or you will be detained.
If none of the above is your situation, you will be allowed back into society.
Even if you are allowed back into society, you will also be placed on a watch list and monitored for a while depending on the reason for your deportation and its severity.
As a deported person, you are expected to make arrangements to travel from the airport or entry point to your final destination within your home country.
Once you are back home to your community, the dilemma begins, you will start your reintegration process which is the hardest part of being deported. You will start all over again.
Returning to your home country after an extended absence will be difficult. Your reintegration process will be challenging, you may find it hard to get a job, and housing, and rebuild social connections.
You can start your reintegration by building a support system, it is crucial after deportation. Reach out to your family, community organizations, or governmental agencies that offer assistance to returnees like you.
Getting any form of support from local organizations, community networks, and family will be helpful to you during this transition.
To rebuild, you need to find employment, reconnect with family and community, and adapt to a changed environment.
What are the emotional effects of deportation?
Deportation inflicts profound emotional distress on both you and your family. You will often feel displaced and lost which can lead to isolation, depression, and anxiety, which makes reintegration harder.
The emotional impact can be long-lasting, it will affect not only you but also your family members.
In addition to the emotional challenges, you may also face stigmatization, this stigma often persists even after a while, making it difficult to reintegrate into society.
As a deported person, you will be sometimes seen as a failure, and you will face judgment and exclusion from your communities.
Overcoming this stigma is a Herculean task, it requires immense resilience and support.
If you have been deported back home and you are looking to reintegrate back into society, you can seek the help of NGOs.
Several initiatives and organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local NGOs work tirelessly toward supporting deported individuals and their families.
You can run to them for assistance, they can provide you with essential resources, legal aid, counseling, and educational support.
Support networks and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are very important, they play a pivotal role in helping deported individuals rebuild their lives.
They provide job training, language classes, psychological support, and community integration programs which are helpful.
Their efforts provide a lifeline for individuals seeking to reintegrate into society successfully.
If you have been deported, you don’t have to give up on yourself, many individuals who faced deportation have bounced back and made extraordinary contributions to society.
From starting businesses and creating jobs to engaging in community service and advocacy work, their positive impact is immeasurable. You can overcome this challenge.
What crimes are eligible for deportation?
Several crimes are eligible for deportation, some include:
- Illegal entry: This is one of the most common reasons for deportation, if you enter a country illegally (without proper authorization), you will be deported if caught.
- Expired visas: If you overstay your visa or violate the terms of your entry, for example, if you start working on a tourist visa, you will be deported if caught.
- Criminal activities: If you are convicted of serious crimes, you may also face deportation depending on the country’s rules and regulations.
Conclusion
If you have been deported back to your home country, I want you to know that it won’t be an easy journey (especially if you don’t have a second plan) but you are not alone.
There are many organizations and individuals out there who are willing to help if you make yourself available. You can still put things in order and bounce back, I am rooting for you.
If you want to contribute or learn more about supporting deported individuals, you can check out organizations like IOM (International Organization for Migration) and local NGOs.
Their websites provide resources, volunteer opportunities, and ways to donate.
Your voice matters. You can also share this post to raise awareness about the challenges faced by deported individuals.
By spreading knowledge, we can foster understanding and empathy within our communities.