deportation

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Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from another country. Typically, deportation occurs for violating an immigration law such as if the foreign national entered the country without proper authorization, violated the terms of their visa, or stayed in the country beyond the period of time that they were authorized to remain in the country. A country may also have policies and laws to deport foreign nationals who carry out criminal acts or are a threat to public safety. However, deportation is a civil, not a criminal proceeding

In the United States, the deportation process generally requires that the foreign national appear before an immigration judge prior to the removal process. While the foreign national awaits their date to appear before the judge, they may be held in a detention center. If a judge rules that the deportation proceeds, the receiving country of the person being deported must agree to accept them and issue travel documents before the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement can carry out the removal order. A judge may also grant permission for the foreign national to remain in the United States and avoid deportation. 

[Last updated in September of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]