If you’re an illegal immigrant living in northeastern North Carolina, it’s important to understand your situation and find a lawyer. We’re here to provide you with information and legal advice you need.
In this article, I’ll lay out some key illegal immigration facts. I’ll tell you about the Trump Administration’s immigration policy. And I’ll tell you why you need a criminal defense lawyer.
If you’re arrested as an illegal immigrant, deportation is a real possibility. Keep reading so you can prepare yourself for the worst.
Illegal Immigration Facts
What are the characteristics of U.S. illegal immigrants?
Here are some illegal immigration facts to give you an idea:
- There are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.
- In recent years, more people have become illegal immigrants by overstaying their visas than by crossing the southern border.
- The average illegal immigrant is ten years younger than the average U.S. citizen.
- Illegal immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than American citizens.
- Not all illegal immigrants are Latinos. After Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, China is the fifth most common country of origin for illegal immigrants.
- Over 60% of illegal immigrants have been in the US for more than a decade.
- Over 30% of illegal immigrants own homes in the US.
- One in every twelve North Carolinians is an immigrant, and two-thirds of those immigrants are here illegally.
These illegal immigration facts show that millions of illegal immigrants from all over the world live in the US, and many have begun new lives here. But they’re all in danger of being deported now that Trump is in office.
Why have there been so many more arrests for Illegal Entry?
It’s no secret that cracking down on illegal immigration is one of President Trump’s biggest priorities. Building “the Wall” and deporting illegal immigrants were two of his campaign’s signature promises.
The Trump administration has already had a big impact on illegal immigrants in the U.S.
Under the Obama Administration, immigration officials focused on illegal immigrants who had felony charges. But under the Trump Administration, immigration officials are going after illegal immigrants with pending charges as well.
If you’re an illegal immigrant, you’re in danger. Authorities could arrest you and deport you for a petty crime at any moment.
And it’s not just resident illegal immigrants who are feeling the heat. The current administration has also changed how immigrants caught at the border are tried in court.
Now, when illegal immigrants are caught by border officials, they are taken before a judge in large groups, sentenced, and often deported, all in a matter of minutes.
This is a frightening time to be in the U.S. if you’re an illegal immigrant. But you still have rights.
Your Rights as an Illegal Immigrant
If you’re an illegal immigrant, you have certain rights while you’re in the United States, and you should know what they are.
The clearest statement of your rights as an immigrant comes from the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution which says, “No state shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Notice that it says “person,” not “citizen.” So you, as a person, are protected by the U.S. Constitution whenever you’re in the United States.
Furthermore, other Amendments–including the 4th, 5th, and 6th–protect you against violations such as unlawful search and self-incrimination.
Is Illegal Entry a Felony or Misdemeanor?
If you’re here illegally, you’ve committed a crime.
Illegally crossing the border once is a misdemeanor. If you were deported and then came back, that’s a felony.
The Immigration and Nationality Act is very clear. It says, “Any alien who is present in the United States in violation of this Act or any other law of the United States is deportable.”
If you are here illegally, they can deport you.
A good lawyer is even more essential under the Trump Administration. Not only are you more likely to be arrested, but the legal process involving criminal charges is becoming more difficult.
To make matters worse, a recent Supreme Court decision stated that immigrants, legal or illegal, don’t have a right to a bond hearing. That means you can be held in jail indefinitely, even for a minor offense.
In the face of all these challenges, you need a criminal lawyer with experience. I have over 26 years of experience working as a criminal defense attorney in northeastern North Carolina and I know how to effectively fight for my clients.
If you’re an illegal immigrant who has committed a crime, or if you’re simply afraid of an illegal entry criminal charge, don’t hesitate to contact me. It would be an honor to fight on your behalf.