How to Get Banned From Entering the United States
You might be surprised to learn how easy it is to get banned from entering the United States. Some people are banned from re-entry for only a few years, while others receive lifetime bans. Some immigrants even receive these bans despite attempting to enter the country lawfully. If you are facing the prospect of a re-entry ban, you might want to get in touch with a skilled Palm Beach County immigration lawyer at Devore Law Group, P.A.
Woman Receives 10-Year Ban After Applying for Green Card
In May of 2024, it was reported that a woman had received a 10-year ban from entering the United States after applying for a green card. What makes this story so tragic is that this woman was attempting to go through the proper legal channels alongside an immigration lawyer. Having first entered the country illegally as a teenager, she managed to obtain a work permit under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
She then applied for permanent legal residency through her husband, who is a US citizen. As a result, she was instructed to leave the United States and attend an interview with a consulate officer in Mexico. After this interview, she was banned from re-entering the United States for 10 years. This all occurred after she spent five years trying to navigate the immigration system.
In addition, she reportedly spent thousands of dollars on her immigration attorney – but observers now say that the lawyer might have misled her. As a DACA recipient, she could have traveled to Mexico before legally re-entering the United States without the consulate interview. Next, she could have applied for her green card inside the United States. This highlights the importance of working with a qualified, experienced immigration attorney when pursuing green cards.
The General Rule Behind Three and Ten-Year Bans
Three and ten-year bans fall under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Under this system, you may receive a three or ten-year ban if you enter the United States illegally, leave the country, and attempt to re-enter legally. The problem is that many green card applicants are instructed to leave the country to attend a consulate interview. If this interview proves unsuccessful, an automatic ban is a real possibility.
Lifetime Bans Are Also Possible
Although being banned from the United States for a decade might seem like a daunting prospect, lifetime bans are also possible. In 2022, it was reported that a Canadian man had been banned from the United States for life after mistakenly crossing the border with a bottle of CBD oil. This is despite the fact that CBD oil is not a controlled substance in the United States (it contains almost inconsequential amounts of THC).
Contact The Devore Law Group
Although being banned from entering the United States is a real possibility, you can avoid this threat with help from an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County. An immigration attorney can review your situation and help you avoid re-entry bans in the future. With the right immigration strategy, you can avoid simple mistakes, pursue permanent residency, and remain in the United States for the foreseeable future.
Sources:
cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-man-lifetime-ban-entering-us-cbd-oil-1.6660816
texastribune.org/2024/05/07/texas-immigrant-houston-green-card-ban-10-years/
