Can I Travel on a Domestic Flight?
Traveling through U.S. airports is risky – even for persons married to a U.S. citizen, even for persons with a work permit, even for persons who were ordered NOT DEPORTED by an immigration judge. Arrests and deportations are increasing at a historical rate.
Am I Safe from Deportation if Married to a U.S. Citizen?
No. Marriage alone provides no safety for foreigners. The U.S. citizen must have filed a petition on your behalf, and you must have filed an application for residency based on that petition. BEWARE: This administration considers everyone deportable who entered without authorization, even if married to a U.S. citizen, even if married to a veteran. Talk to a Blandon Law attorney before filing an application that may get you detained or deported.
Am I Safe from Deportation if I Have a Work Permit?
No. Each week TSA sends Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lists of people flying through U.S. airports. These lists include names and photos. If ICE finds someone they want to target, they arrest them at the airport. People with valid work permits (and student visas) are arrested so often that it no longer makes headlines. The work permit alone is not enough, especially because this administration has ended Temporary Protected Status and parole programs (CHNV, Uniting for Ukraine, and CBP One) for MILLIONS of persons, many of whom are walking around with work permits. Persons in these programs should not travel by airplane.
Persons are also being arrested at airports with pending asylum and green card applications, as well as APPROVED applications for Deferred Action for Certain Childhood Arrivals (DACA). All of these persons have valid work permits.
Am I Safe from Deportation if a Judge Ordered I NOT Be Deported?
No. Persons who have withholding of removal, sometimes based on the Convention of Torture, rightfully believe that they cannot be deported. When they were in immigration court, a judge issued a deportation order BUT ON THE SAME PAPER added that they could NOT be deported to their home country. However, this administration is deporting persons illegally (a federal judge ruled this practice is against the Constitution) to third countries where the foreigners have never been. So, persons with withholding of removal or whose cases were administratively closed but then reopened are being detained at airports for deportation to third countries. Again, chat with Blandon Law attorneys about paths that may be open to avoid deportation.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself?
We do not recommend foreigners fly, but if it cannot be avoided note the following tips: Carry CERTIFIED copies (not originals) of your documents. Print your tickets so you don’t need to open your phone when you board the plane. Sign out of your email accounts. Memorize phone numbers for Blandon Law and at least two family members who can be called in case you need help. Sign a privacy waiver (ICE Form 60-001) and leave it with these family members. Carry $50 in cash at all times.
If you are growing your family and need expert help with immigration, Call 954.385.0157 or request a chat through our website today to speak to an asylum immigration expert.
Preparing our clients for marriage-based green card interviews is one of the services we provide.
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All team members speak Spanish.
Disclaimer – These entries are based on real life events. Family member names, when used, are real. Client names are changed for privacy.
